Euro-Asia

division

ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

DISCIPLESHIP

SEVENTH-DAY

ADVENTIST CHURCH

ADULT

BBATH

HOOL

BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

Jan

■

Feb

■

Mar 2008

Jan

■

Feb

■

Mar 2008

Amur

mur

Dnest

Dni

eper

Dni

eper

Don

Elbe

Indigirk

a R.

Irt

ysh

Irt

ysh

Kama

Lena

Ural

Volga

Vol

Yen

ise

Yen

ise

Yen

ise

Aral Sea

Baltic Sea

Barents Sea

Bering Sea

Chukchi Sea

East

Siberian Sea

Kara Sea

Leptev Sea

Sea of Japan

Sea of Okhotsk

White Sea

Caspian Sea

ARMENIA

AZERBAIJAN

GEORGIA

Moscow

St. Petersburg

RUSSIA

BELARUS

UKRAINE

KAZAKHSTAN

TURKMENISTAN

UZBEKISTAN

KYRGYZSTAN

TAJIKISTAN

MOLDOVA

*EAQ080101*

Where legally possible, offerings will go to these projects; otherwise special arrangement will be made with the

General Conference for distribution of funds based on the laws of the countries where these offerings are collected.

Caucasus 158 10,093 34,114,780

East Russian 114 9,338 22,454,925

Moldova 153 11,736 4,206,000

Southern 103 6,815 58,748,000

Ukrainian 877 61,513 47,110,000

West Russian 433 35,345 94,367,895

Attached Fields

Belarus Conference 73 4,991 9,776,000

Far Eastern Conference 61 3,628 8,009,000

Totals 1,972 143,459 278,787,000

Discipleship

●

* Map not drawn to scale

*Totals from Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook 2006

●

Mission Projects

● Better-living center and church in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

● Churches in Brest, Belarus; Chisin˘au (Kishinev),

Moldova; Irkutsk, Krasnodar, and Petropavlovsk-

Kamchatsky, Russia

For more information, visit www.AdventistMission.org

●

Contents

Editorial Assistants

Tresa Beard

Larie S. Gray

Jean A. Kellner

Pacific Press

Coordinator

Paul A. Hey

Art Director and Illustrator

Lars Justinen

Concept Design

Dever Design

Editorial Office 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Come visit us at our Web site: http://www.absg.adventist.org

Principal Contributor

Bertram Melbourne

Editor

Clifford R. Goldstein

Associate Editor

Soraya Homayouni Parish

Publication Manager

Lea Alexander Greve

The Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide is prepared by the Office of the Adult Bible

Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the

guides is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Manuscript Evaluation

Committee, whose members serve as consulting editors. The published guide reflects the

input of the committee and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the

author(s).

1 An Overview of Discipleship—December 29–January 4—————6

2 Discipleship Then and Now—January 5–11—————————14

3 Called to Discipleship by Jesus—January 12–18———————22

4 Lessons From Would-be Disciples—January 19–25 ——————30

5 Gender and Discipleship—January 26–February 1 ——————38

6 Ethnicity and Discipleship—February 2–8——————————46

7 Preparation for Discipleship—February 9–15—————————56

8 Experiencing Discipleship—February 16–22—————————64

9 Following the Master: Discipleship in Action—February 23–29—72

10 Discipleship Under Pressure—March 1–7 ——————————80

11 More Lessons in Discipleship—March 8–14 —————————88

12 Mission and Commission—March 15 – 21 ————————————96

13 Patterns of Discipleship— M a r c h 2 2 – 2 8 —————————————1 0 4

Though discipleship has been a topic of interest to Christians for

centuries, for the first followers of Jesus discipleship was so much

more than just that. For them, discipleship was the experience of fol-

lowing the Lord Jesus. At its core, discipleship was a relationship, one

that was transforming, liberating, and empowering. And, as it was for

them, so must it be for us.

A disciple is a person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, com-

mitted himself or herself to a growing relationship with God, and by

the Holy Spirit is integrating the Lordship of Jesus into every area of

daily life. Disciples are committed to being responsible members of

the church through active and consistent participation in mission, and

they are moved by the internal motivation of God’s Spirit.

Discipleship can be viewed from varying per-

spectives. First, it can be examined with respect to

the historical situation in which the Master and

His disciples interacted. Second, it can be judged

from the viewpoint of the nature of the Christian

life. In order for us to grasp the character and

meaning of Christian discipleship, both these

approaches must be captured.

The theme

Christian discipleship implies a dis-

cipleship different from others. Though the first

century had many disciples—gathering teachers who were revered

and whose styles of instruction were venerated—Christian disciple-

ship speaks to a specific mode of discipleship. Because a Christian is

an imitator of Jesus, and because a disciple is a

follower, Christian

discipleship is, then, the kind of discipleship that involves following,

even imitating, Jesus.

Discipleship also can be viewed from two different levels: (1) that

of the first disciples of Jesus and (2) that of His subsequent ones.

When one thinks of discipleship as it relates to Jesus and His fol-

lowers, several questions arise. What must it have been like to have

Christian

discipleship . . .

involves

following, even

imitating,

Jesus.

Jesus call, teach, and train you for discipleship? What must it have

been like to watch Jesus in action and to learn from His example?

On the other hand, and in some ways more relevant to us now, what

does discipleship entail for Christians living so many centuries

removed from the time when Jesus lived and taught? What does dis-

cipleship entail for Christ’s disciples in the twenty-first century? What

does discipleship involve for people who live in a society radically dif-

ferent from where Jesus and His first disciples lived?

In this quarter’s Bible study guide, we will look at discipleship as an

experience between Jesus and those He called to apprenticeship with

Him. We will explore what is involved in discipleship and who is truly

disciple. We will also examine the process of becoming a disciple and

the major characteristics of discipleship. We will compare Jesus’ disci-

pleship with that of other disciple-gathering teachers. Additionally, we

will look at such questions as would-be disciples, gender and disciple-

ship, ethnicity and discipleship, instructions for discipleship, and dis-

cipleship under pressure. In short, we will consider what we need to

be modern-day disciples living in what we believe is close to the sec-

ond coming of Jesus.

Betram Melbourne, our principal contributor, is a native of Jamaica.

At the time of this writing, he was interim dean of the Howard University

School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. He is married and has three

grown children.

Discipleship

Got

Questions?

Sabbath School

University

has answers!

Sabbath School University is a

28-minute discussion of the Adult

Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. SSU

discusses the content and strategies to

enrich your Sabbath School with

fellowship, outreach, Bible study,

and missions. Sabbath School leaders,

don’t miss this weekly broadcast on

Hope Channel.

www.hopetv.org

We’re all

God’s

children.

Some of

us just

don’t

know

Him yet.

Your mission

offerings help to

Tell the World.

www.AdventistMission.org

L ESSON

*December 29–January 4

An Overview of

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matt. 4:18–22; 10:24, 25;

Mark 3:13, 14; 8:34, 35; Luke 14:25, 26.

Memor

y Text:

“As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two

brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, cast-

ing a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to

them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fish for people’ ”

(Matthew

4:18, 19, NRSV).

wight E. Stevenson tells a story from the days of the conquis-

tadors that illustrates an important aspect of discipleship.

“When Cortez disembarked his five hundred conquistadors

upon the eastern coast of Mexico, he set fire to the ships.”—Charles

L. Wallis, ed.,

Speaker’s Illustrations for Special Days (Grand Rapids,

Mich.: Baker Book House, 1975), p. 25. As his warriors watched their

means of retreat go up in flames, they knew that they were commit-

ting their lives to the conquest of the New World for Spain. They had

to be totally dedicated to the mission.

In the same way, those who accept Christ and commit to the task of

discipleship are called to burn their ships in the harbor. There is no

room for retreat.

There is no turning back. The motto of this complete

surrender to Christ should be “forward ever, backward never.”

The Week at a Glance:

What is discipleship? Who is a

disciple? Can one volunteer to be a disciple? What are the

requirements of discipleship? What is the essence of discipleship?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 5.

SUNDAY

December 30

Discipleship—Historical and Personal

In Scripture, the concept of discipleship appears in two ways, his-

torical and personal.

In the historical Christian context it refers to the interaction between

Christ, the Master Teacher, and His first followers, known as the dis-

ciples. At the core, it referred to those who had a close and special

affiliation with the Rabbi from Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Son of

God.

On the personal level, discipleship refers to the encounter that

occurs between Christ, the transformed individual, and the world. It

refers also to the challenges that Christian commitment brings and to

the resultant life of faith. Thus, discipleship involves not only what a

Christian does on behalf of Christ but how Christ is represented in the

world.

It is here that the two aspects of discipleship, historical and per-

sonal, can intersect. Modern discipleship can benefit from the insights

offered by the experience of the historical disciples and the Master.

Outline

the concepts of discipleship found in Matthew 4:18–22.

What did Jesus ask Peter and Andrew to do? Compare the call

extended to James and John with that given to Peter and Andrew.

What light does the response of these four disciples shed on our

understanding of discipleship?

See also John 1:40–42. What do

these passages teach us, as well?

____________________________________________________________________

Read

Acts 11:26. What insights does this give to us about the meaning

of discipleship?

____________________________________________________________________

From what you have seen so far, what is your understanding of

discipleship?

What per

sonal lessons can y

ou take away from the

few texts looked at today?

MONDAY

December 31

Who Is a Disciple?

The word disciple comes from the Greek word mathetes, meaning

“learner,” “apprentice,” or “adherent.” It depicts a person whose mind

is set on a purpose. In the New Testament, it is used mostly of Jesus’

disciples, especially in the Gospels. It refers to “an apprentice or pupil

attached to a teacher or movement; one whose allegiance is to the

instruction and commitments of the teacher or movement.”—Paul J.

Achtemeier, ed., Harper’s Bible Dictionary (New York: Harper San

Francisco, 1985), p. 222. A disciple, then, is a pupil or learner who is

apprenticed to a master or teacher for the purpose of receiving instruc-

tion. There can be no disciple without a teacher. The New Testament

term

disciple is used primarily of Jesus’ disciples.

Discipleship

involves willingness to follow commands and to

make commitments. What does Jesus mean, and what is He call-

ing for, in His statement to the crowds, “ ‘If anyone comes to Me,

and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and chil-

dren and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he can-

not be My disciple’ ” (Luke 14:25, 26, NASB)? How are these words

applied to us in our daily life?

____________________________________________________________________

If Christians are disciples, to whom are modern Christians appren-

ticed? Who should have the allegiance and commitment of Christians?

The church? The doctrines? A charismatic preacher who does a good job

of teaching and instructing? Or Jesus? What light does 1 Corinthians

1:10–17, especially verse 12, shed on this matter?

In the New Testament, a disciple was one whom Jesus taught

and who was committed to following Him. Is it any different

today? Read again Jesus’ words in Luke, as quoted above. How

well does that picture fit you? Are you truly a disciple of Christ?

What does your answer tell you about yourself and your com-

mitment to the Lord?

TUESDAY

January 1

How Does One Become a Disciple?

Read

Mark 1:19, 20 (see also Matt. 4:18, 19). What do these texts tell

us about how people became followers of Jesus?

____________________________________________________________________

In most instances in the New Testament, disciples were chosen; that

is, they were called by the Lord, and they responded to the call. In

other words, one doesn’t make oneself a disciple. Instead, one

becomes a disciple by responding to a call.

What

do the following texts say about this topic?

Mark 2:13, 14

____________________________________________________________________

Mark 3:13, 14

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 5:8–11

____________________________________________________________________

John 1:43

____________________________________________________________________

Acts 9:4–6

____________________________________________________________________

These texts show that the initiative for discipleship in the historical

situation did not rest with an individual. It resided with the Master.

Each disciple responded to a call the Lord extended.

Even the response to the call Jesus extended did not wholly reside

with the called. This, too, involved a divine initiative. “ ‘No one can

come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him’ ”

(John 6:44,

NIV). Discipleship indeed is a work of grace. God provided the means

of salvation. He e

xtends the call for us, and He w

oos us to accept. Can

anyone doubt that salvation is all of grace?

The fact that you are even reading these words indicates the

work of God in your life. How have you responded to the call of

the Master? Ho

w do y

our w

ks r

eal the answer?

WEDNESDAY

January 2

Requirements of Discipleship

From our study thus far, we can discern a few conditions for disci-

pleship.

First, discipleship in the New Testament began with Jesus’ call to

people to follow Him. A response from those called was essential.

Thus, willingness to follow must have been a requirement of disciple-

ship.

Second, willingness had to be based on something concrete, on

something the disciple saw as valuable. Did those called discern

something in Jesus they had not previously seen in anyone else? If so,

they exercised faith in Him to follow willingly.

The third requirement of discipleship is a natural outgrowth of the

first two. Willingness to follow and faith to believe must have led to a

positive response to His call to discipleship. Without a positive

response there could be no discipleship.

A positive response and willingness to follow are ineffective unless

put into active reality through obedience. Jesus invited each person

initially called to follow Him, and they did so immediately. This

means that they were obedient and that obedience was a requirement

for discipleship. No willfully disobedient person can be a successful

follower of the Master.

Also, in the case of the disciples, their response to the call implied

a total break with the past. They left their jobs, their families, and their

possessions to follo

w Jesus, and they heeded the call to love these

things less than they loved the Master. Being a disciple doesn’t neces-

sarily mean that we have to do all those things, only that we be will-

ing to, if needed.

What other requirements of discipleship can you find in the fol-

lowing texts? Matt. 16:24, 25; Mark 8:34, 35; Luke 9:23. What is

the basic message that Jesus is giving to us here? How can you

apply this principle in your own life?

__________________________________________________________________

THURSDAY

January 3

The Essence of Discipleship

Implicit in the reality of following the Master was a call to a life of

community and fellowship. Jesus and the disciples must have had a

close companionship. That such a relationship is at the core of disciple-

ship can be seen from His words in John 15:5, “ ‘I am the vine; you

are the branches’ ” (NIV). The intimate attachment between a vine and

a branch that inspired Jesus’ illustration is noteworthy.

In John 15:9 Jesus compares their relationship with that between

Him and His Father. He calls on His disciples to abide in His love, fur-

ther strengthening this idea of our need to be closely attached to Him.

From

each of the texts below, what else can we learn about disciple-

ship?

Matt. 10:32, 33

____________________________________________________________________

Matt. 22:37–40

____________________________________________________________________

John 14:15

____________________________________________________________________

What

is your understanding of Matthew 10:24, 25 and Luke 6:40?

What do they illustrate about discipleship?

____________________________________________________________________

If discipleship, as previously seen, involves a clean break with the

past, then out of necessity it must inspire a vision of the future. The dis-

ciple envisions being with the Master, learning from Him, and becom-

ing like Him. Mark 3:14 says that disciples were called “to be with

Him”

(NKJV). There is no way that a disciple can be with Jesus and

not learn from Him and not be inspired to be like Him. Moreover, they

would also catch the vision of His kingdom and would desire to be

part of it.

Do you sometimes feel discour

aged in your walk with the Lord?

Go back over the week’s lesson and see what you can find from

the texts that can help you draw some encouragement and hope.

FRIDAY

January 4

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 319,

322, 323, 374, 484, 582, 584, 585, 592–594, 738, 749, 750, 910, 1036,

1037, 1083, 1084; Ellen G. White, “We Have Found the Messias,”

pp. 139–143; “The Call by the Sea,” pp. 244–251; “He Ordained

Twelve,” p. 292, in The Desire of Ages.

“No mere theory of truth or profession of discipleship will save any

soul. We do not belong to Christ unless we are His wholly. It is by

halfheartedness in the Christian life that men become feeble in pur-

pose and changeable in desire.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object

Lessons, p. 50.

“Matthew ‘left all, rose up, and followed Him.’ There was no hesi-

tation, no questioning, no thought of the lucrative business to be

exchanged for poverty and hardship. . . . So it was with the disciples

previously called.

“When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immedi-

ately they left their boats and nets. Some of these disciples had friends

dependent on them for support; but when they received the Saviour’s

invitation, they did not hesitate, and inquire, How shall I live, and sus-

tain my family? They were obedient to the call.”—Ellen G. White,

The

Desire of Ages, p. 273.

Discussion Questions:

● What is the difference between discipleship and church mem-

bership? Why is it important for us to know the difference? In what

ways can a person be a church member and not be a disciple?

● Read the second Ellen G. White reference above. At one level,

the meaning is clear: We must be wholly devoted to Jesus, no

matter the personal cost. At the same time, how is this principle

open to abuse? In what ways could this idea be used by someone

to evade what are, really, God-given responsibilities? How can we

know the difference between being committed and using com-

mitment as an excuse for some other agenda?

● What does it mean to be committed wholly to the Lord? What

are the practical and positive ways commitment and discipleship

can be manifested? Also, ask yourself this question: How are the

lives of those around me improved and helped by my faithfulness

to the Lord?

● What does it mean to deny self and take up your cross?

Though we always tend to think of this command on an individ-

ual basis, would this also be words to your local church, as a

whole? If so,

w so?

tor

INSIDE

Fishing for Souls

by GABRIEL ZANCHIOR

A friend stopped by the bar and dance hall that I operated in Benin, a

country in western Africa, and invited me to his home for dinner. After eat-

ing I fell asleep and thought I was dreaming when I heard someone speak-

ing beautifully. I opened my eyes and saw my friend and another man

praying. The prayer was so beautiful that I knelt beside them.

When the man finished praying, he apologized for waking me. I asked

him to teach me to pray as he prayed, and he said, “When you know God

personally, praying is easy.” He was a pastor and offered to teach me about

God.

As I studied the Bible with the pastor, I realized how little I knew about

the Bible. I told my friend, “You have known this, and you didn’t tell me?”

Surprised, he responded, “But you own a bar. How could I know that

you would listen to these things?”

As I studied the Bible, I realized that to follow Jesus I would have to

give up my bar and dance hall. But these truths were so beautiful, how

could I not follow them? I walked away from everything I had invested in

the bar and turned my life over to Christ. My wife and I were baptized.

I found work as a fisherman, but fishing was poor in Benin, so I went

to neighboring Ghana to work. While there I found the Adventist church

and realized that this church was worldwide.

When I returned to Benin, I looked at our little chapel and our handful

of members. I realized that the challenge was huge. Voodoo worship and

witchcraft permeate life in Benin. People prefer to join a church that

allows them to mix their voodoo practices with Christianity rather than

stand up for the truth and become a Seventh-day Adventist.

I started evangelizing my town, calling people to Jesus. Ten people

joined the Adventist church. But when trouble comes, staying in the

church becomes difficult. In our culture funerals include drinking and

offering gifts to the gods to assure that the dead person does not haunt

family members. But when we Adventists don’t take part in these cere-

monies, our families make it very difficult.

I now know that God’s church is a worldwide family. I pray, and I ask

you to pray, that God will work powerfully in Benin to convince people of

His love and power.

I continue casting God’

s net in the de

vil’s sea, seeking to be a fisher of

souls for Christ. Your mission offerings will help the work in my country

grow stronger each day.

GABRIEL ZANCHIOR is a lay evangelist in Benin, West Africa.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*January 5–11

Discipleship Then and

Now

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20;

Mark 16:20; John 3:21–30; Acts 5:34–39.

Memory Text:

“Then the disciples went out and preached

everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his

word by the signs that accompanied it”

(Mark 16:20, NIV).

iscipleship goes back to even before the time of Jesus’ earthly

ministry. Several centuries before His coming into this world

in human flesh, there were disciple-gathering teachers who

influenced the lives of others with their instructions. This was true

with the Greeks, the Jews, the Chinese, and other ancient cultures.

Several of these teachers refused to accept the use of the term teacher

in reference to themselves or that of

disciple in reference to their

pupils, so close was the bond between them.

This week’s lesson explores discipleship in other settings, compares

it with Jesus’ discipleship, and examines the implications for the dis-

ciples of Jesus who live in the twenty-first century.

The Week at a Glance:

What was discipleship like among

the Greeks and the Jews? How was discipleship different with

John the Baptist and with J

esus of Nazareth? What applications for

the contemporary task of discipleship can we gain from disciple-

ship in the time of J

esus?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 12.

SUNDAY

January 6

Discipleship Among the Greeks

“Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were

some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in

Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’ ”(John 12:20,

21, NRSV).

The fact that these Greeks went to worship at the festival should tell

us something about them already. Also, the verses beforehand reveal

that so much was happening that the attitude of the Greeks should not

be surprising.

Read

the following texts. What insight could they shed upon what was

happening here? Jer. 29:13; John 1:9; 6:44; Acts 10:34, 35.

____________________________________________________________________

Last week we saw that Jesus always chose His own disciples. The

above texts might, at first glance, indicate something different. Yet,

that is not the case. Even here the Spirit was wooing these Greeks.

In Greek culture, discipleship took many different forms. Though

some Greek teachers would initiate the call to discipleship, the tradi-

tion was for the students to choose the teacher. The students, not the

teacher, initiated the relationship. Also, it was common for the teach-

ers to charge a fee for the students who studied with them.

In this case, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these Greeks

were seeking Jesus, to learn from Him. Given that God uses what we

know to teach us what we need to know, this is a viable notion. Indeed,

Ellen G. White notes that “the Greeks longed to know the truth in

regard to His mission.”—Ellen G. White,

The Desire of Ages, p. 622.

She also said that Jesus granted their request.

If someone were to come up to you, as these Greeks did to

Philip, and say, “We wish to see Jesus,” what would you answer?

How would you introduce them to Him?

MONDAY

January 7

Discipleship Among the Jews

Pupil-teacher relations are mentioned in the writings of Jewish

scholars such as Philo and Josephus. There were also two famed rab-

bis, Hillel and Shammai, who had rival schools in Jerusalem and who

attracted followers. We also are told in Acts that Saul of Tarsus was the

pupil of Rabbi Gamaliel, another famed first-century Jewish teacher

(Acts 5:34–39, 22:3).

Read

the above texts. What can we learn about Gamaliel from them?

____________________________________________________________________

These teachers were reputed throughout the first century among the

Jews. They attracted pupils from the whole world to Jerusalem, the

center of theological and juridical knowledge of Judaism, to sit at the

feet of these masters. A young Jew who desired to become a rabbi

began his education as a pupil at a very early age, perhaps as early as

fourteen. He was in personal contact with his teacher, listening to his

instructions, imitating his gestures, and learning from him in the

classroom and in daily life. In the classroom, he assumed the posture

of a learner, sitting at his master’s feet. When he mastered the tradi-

tional material, he was designated a nonordained scholar. Ordination

came later at a prefixed age. At that time, the title rabbi was bestowed

upon him, as well as the power to bind or loose for all time the Jews

of the entire world.

What

we have seen in the preceding paragraphs is consistent with the

glimpses of Jewish teacher-pupil relations we get from the New

Testament. What light do they shed on the understanding of the

following passages? Matt. 16:19, 18:18.

____________________________________________________________________

Have you known a teacher you have admired, who made a great

impact on your life f

or good? What were the aspects of that

teacher that so impressed you? In what ways can you emulate

those traits in your own life?

TUESDAY

January 8

Discipleship With John the Baptist

Read

John 3:21–30. Explain what this passage says about John the

Baptist in relationship to discipleship. Was he also a disciple-

gathering teacher? Because he did not have rabbinical education,

what does the title rabbi say about the regard his pupils had for

him?

____________________________________________________________________

It is apparent that some Jews wondered whether John the Baptist

was the Messiah. This is implied by the questions of the messengers

whom the priests and Levites from Jerusalem sent to John the Baptist

(John 1:19–28). Their questions are significant, especially when one

considers that a two-messiah concept had developed among the Jews

during this period between the Old and New Testaments. It anticipated

a priestly messiah from the tribe of Levi and a kingly messiah from

the tribe of Judah. The fact that priests and Levites were sent is there-

fore notable since they belonged to the tribe of Levi.

It is possible that the disciples of John saw him as a priestly mes-

siah; after all, he was from the tribe of Levi. This belief could also

have motivated the Jerusalem visitors, who inquired of John regarding

his mission. Some scholars believe that this was the reason the author

of the fourth Gospel recorded so much of what the Baptist said about

Jesus. He wanted it to be absolutely clear that John the Baptist saw

Jesus, not himself, as the Messiah. Perhaps it is against this back-

ground that we must understand John 3:25, 26.

What was the issue that caused some distress among John’s dis-

ciples? See John 3:21–30. What does their attitude say about

them? In contrast, what does John’s response tell us about his

character? What principle can we learn from John’s response

that we could apply to our own lives?

_____________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY

January 9

Discipleship With Jesus

From the very outset of His public ministry, Jesus had disciples. He

appeared on the first-century Jewish scene as a disciple-gathering

teacher in the tradition of both Greek and Jewish teachers. There were

also points of contact with John the Baptist since John baptized Him

in preparation for His mission.

As in both Jewish and Greek traditions, Jesus had disciples who fol-

lowed Him everywhere, who listened to His teaching, and who imi-

tated Him

(Matt. 5:1, 2; John 1:35–40; 2:1, 2).

Carefully

read Matthew 4:18–20; then (going back over Sunday’s

and Monday’s lessons) compare the ways in which one came to be

a disciple of Jesus, of the Greek teachers, and of the established

rabbis. What things did they have in common? What things were

different?

____________________________________________________________________

“Until this time none of the disciples had fully united as colaborers

with Jesus. They had witnessed many of His miracles, and had lis-

tened to His teaching; but they had not entirely forsaken their former

employment. The imprisonment of John the Baptist had been to them

all a bitter disappointment. If such were to be the outcome of John’s

mission, they could have little hope for their Master, with all the reli-

gious leaders combined against Him. Under the circumstances it was

a relief to them to return for a short time to their fishing. But now

Jesus called them to forsake their former life, and unite their interests

with His. Peter had accepted the call. Upon reaching the shore, Jesus

bade the three other disciples, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fish-

ers of men.’ Immediately they left all, and followed Him [Matt. 4:19,

20].”—Ellen G. White,

The Desire of Ages, pp. 246–249.

What has Jesus called you to give up in order to follow Him?

What has your response to that call been? Might you still be

holding on to something that is standing in the way of a full

commitment to the Lord?

THURSDAY

January 10

Contemporary Discipleship

“Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the

Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that

accompanied it”

(Mark 16:20, NIV).

According

to the above verse, what was one major characteristic

seen in the disciples of Christ? What message is there for us, as

well? See also Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20; Rev. 14:6–12.

____________________________________________________________________

Beside the fact that the disciples were preaching everywhere, Mark

said that the Lord worked with the early disciples after His departure

and confirmed His word among them by the signs that accompanied

it. Are contemporary disciples seeing God’s confirmation of His word

among them through signs and miracles? What are some of the signs

and miracles we see? How do we define signs and miracles? Should

we expect the same kind of signs and miracles in every culture, time,

and society?

Are

there other ways, besides signs and miracles, for God to confirm

His word among us? If so, how?

____________________________________________________________________

Jesus has no less expectation of His disciples today than He had for

the early ones. He requires the same commitment to the task from us.

However, He says, “ ‘According to your faith be it unto you’ ”

(Matt.

9:29). Moreover, He says, “ ‘And I will do whatever you ask in my

name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me

for anything in my name, and I will do it’ ”

(John 14:13, 14, NIV).

How involved are you in the work of spreading the gospel? What

are your own spiritual gifts, and how can they be used in this

work? When was the last time you did anything at all in terms

of helping others know the wonderful truths that you have been

entrusted with?

What does y

our ans

er tell you about yourself?

FRIDAY

January 11

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 432,

433, 582–585, 932, 1022, 1023; Ellen G. White, “Who Is the

Greatest?” p. 432, in The Desire of Ages.

“For a time the Baptist’s influence over the nation had been greater

than that of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself

as the Messiah, and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people

would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals

to the ambition of the world’s conquerors Satan had stood ready to

urge upon John the Baptist. But with the evidence before him of his

power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention

which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. Now he saw the

tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by

day the crowds about him lessened. . . . But the disciples of John

looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus.”—Ellen

G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 178.

Discussion Questions:

● What is involved in leaving everything behind in order to fol-

low Jesus? What are the different ways such a commitment is

made manifest in our lives? In class on Sabbath, be prepared to

talk about your own understanding of what this means.

● What roles should our educational institutions have in helping

make disciples? How can our churches and our schools better

work together in this important challenge?

● Even in the time of Jesus there was a rivalry among disciples.

Why is something like this so common, even among a work that

is, ideally, so exalted, a work that should by its very nature keep

us all humble and eager for the success of others? What practi-

cal things can we do to keep ourselves from falling into this trap?

● What about this whole question of signs and wonders and mira-

cles? Do we believe in this? If so, what do we believe about it?

What do signs and wonders prove? What do they not prove? Why

should we always approach these things with caution, humility,

and firm reliance on the Word of God?

tor

INSIDE

Religion Class Discovery

by THOMAS WALTER

Herr Singer teaches religion to fifth- and sixth-grade children in a pub-

lic school in Germany. One day he saw an ad for the Voice of Hope Bible

correspondence course and signed up to take the basic course. Then he

asked whether the Bible school offered lessons for children.

The Voice of Hope sent him their children’s lessons, and Herr Singer

asked permission to use them in his religion class. The Voice of Hope sent

lessons for each student, and Herr Singer assigned the lessons to his stu-

dents, who began completing them. Several students sent questions they

had along with their lessons. From the first the teacher, his students, and

their parents knew that the materials they studied were sponsored by

Seventh-day Adventists.

Herr Singer taught another religion teacher’s class when she was ill.

When she returned to school her students wanted to continue taking the

Bible course and asked Herr Singer to offer a second hour of Bible class

so they could continue taking the Bible course. These public school chil-

dren were willing to stay after school to study the Bible. So, once a week

the students met in Herr Singer’s class to complete their Bible course.

The other religion teachers at the school learned about Herr Singer’s

Bible class discovery and asked to use the material in their own religion

classes. Herr Singer created a curriculum plan in which he explained how

to use the Bible correspondence course to teach religion to children. He

sent a copy to the Voice of Hope so that other religion teachers in Germany

can use the material if they wish.

When the children completed the basic Bible course, some asked for

more Bible material. Herr Singer directed them to the Voice of Hope,

where they could study on their own. Six children enrolled in the basic

adult course. They completed this course without their teacher’s assis-

tance. The course is not easy, and the children began asking their parents

for help. When their parents couldn’t answer their children’s questions,

some of them enrolled in the Bible study course in order to help answer

their children’s questions.

So, one teacher’s quest for religious materials has sown seeds of faith in

the minds of children and their families in Germany.

Your mission offerings support the Voice of Hope in Germany and

around the world.

THOMAS WALTER is a pastor and teac

her f

or the

oice of Hope Bib

le Corr

espondence

School.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*January 12–18

Called to Discipleship by

Jesus

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This W

eek’s Study:

Matt. 4:18–22; 5:46;

9:10, 11; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11; 18:10, 11; John 1:35–51.

Memory Text:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

hen Garibaldi published that famous proclamation to his

soldiers after the storming of Rome, ‘Soldiers! I have noth-

ing to offer you but hunger, thirst, hardship, death. Let all

who love their country follow me!’ he knew many a gallant youth

would follow him, accepting hunger, and thirst, and death.”—A.

Gordon Nasby, ed.,

Treasury of the Christian World (New York:

Harper and Brothers, 1953), p. 92. Unlike Garibaldi’s, Jesus’ call was

not for love of country but for love of God, a call that—though possi-

bly involving hunger, thirst, hardship, and death—also offers the

promise of eternal life. Thus, people then and now accept His call to

follow and to commit their lives to Him and by so doing make a dif-

ference in this world now and for eternity.

This week we will take another look at the earliest calls to disciple-

ship and seek to glean from them lessons for ourselves.

The Week at a Glance:

What were the first calls to dis-

cipleship like? What role did Scripture have in those calls? What

can we learn from the call of Levi Matthew? Despite many differ-

ences, what ar

e some of the common elements found in the call to

discipleship?

What ad

vantages do we have today over the early

disciples?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 19.

SUNDAY

January 13

The First Calls

Read

John 1:35–51 and then answer the following questions:

1. How did John the Baptist help set the stage for the call of these first

disciples? From what John did, what can we learn for ourselves and

for our mission as a people?

____________________________________________________________________

2. How central were the Scriptures to the people’s willingness to fol-

low Jesus? What message is there for us?

____________________________________________________________________

3. What role do we see for the disciples in calling others to follow

Jesus? What does that tell us about our own calling?

____________________________________________________________________

After Andrew spent a little time with Jesus, he not only believed that

Jesus was the Messiah, but he immediately did what the Master expects

every disciple to do: Spread the joy of discipleship. Andrew seemed to

have understood a vital principle of discipleship: It is neither for pri-

vate use nor does it belong to a gated community or an exclusive club.

Rather, it is an experience that must be shared with others.

From Andrew’s response to discipleship, a pattern emerges. Andrew

heard John speak and followed Jesus. Next, he told his brother Peter

of his experience and brought him to Jesus, and Peter became a fol-

lower, as well.

In the same way, we hear the truth about Jesus, make a commitment

to follow Him, and then tell others about Jesus. This is repeated day

by day, all over the world.

If you were to tell someone about Jesus, what would you say?

How deep is your experience with the Lord? What would you

say about Jesus that could make someone be interested in fol-

lowing Him?

MONDAY

January 14

The First Call in Matthew and Mark

Matthew 4:18–22 and Mark 1:16–20, we are given other perspectives

on this first call. In both examples, those He called dropped their

nets and followed Him. What does that mean?

____________________________________________________________________

This is not the only time and place this principle is found in the

Bible.

Look

up the following texts. How do we see the same principle being

manifested here, however different the circumstances?

Gen. 12:1 (see also Heb. 11:8)

____________________________________________________________________

1 Kings 19:19–21

____________________________________________________________________

Phil. 3:8

____________________________________________________________________

Heb. 11:24

____________________________________________________________________

The point cannot be repeated enough: The Lord demands the whole

heart. That which we do not surrender to Him, that which we cling to,

refusing to give up, becomes an idol, something we deem more impor-

tant than the Lord. What is worse, those things we cling to become the

hooks the devil uses to wean us away from the Lord completely. That

is why we must be willing to forsake anything and everything the Lord

asks us to. We cannot, as He said, “serve two masters”

(Matt. 6:24).

TUESDAY

January 15

The Call in Luke

Luke 5:1–11 contains Luke’s version of the disciples’ call. As with

the other Gospel accounts, it brings in elements not found in other

Gospels, while omitting elements found in others. Some claim that the

accounts are, therefore, contradictory. Instead, careful scrutiny usually

resolves any issues, showing simply that despite the different details or

emphasis, the accounts harmonize, especially on the crucial points.

Read

Luke 5:1–11. What indications are there that Peter already had

some faith in Jesus?

____________________________________________________________________

Think about it. They had fished all night, when fishing was the best,

and caught nothing. Jesus then comes along and tells them to let the

net into the water. Is He joking? If we did not catch anything all night,

w are we going to in the day?

Yet for some reason, Peter listens. Did

he already have reasons to trust in Jesus?

What

was Peter’s response? How does that response, in many ways, cap-

ture the essence of discipleship and the everlasting gospel? Isa.

53:6, Rom. 5:16–21, 1 John 1:7–9.

____________________________________________________________________

Despite our fallen natures, despite our faults and our weaknesses,

despite the fact that we, like Peter, are sinful, God does not abandon

us. How natural it would be for any of us, in the presence of the

Divine, to say, “Depart from me.” Under the blood of the Cross, we

can abide in the presence of God. Under the blood of the Cross, we

can be His disciples.

Dwell on what Jesus did for us at Calvary. Dwell on the prom-

ises of acceptance

orgiveness, and reconciliation with God

because of the Cross. Claim the promises made to you, not

because you feel worthy of them (was Peter?) but because God

has promised them,

and you want to take Him at His Word.

WEDNESDAY

January 16

The Call of Levi Matthew

Read

Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14; and Luke 5:27, 28. Compare the call

of Levi Matthew with that of the other early disciples. What are

the similarities and the differences between the call of Levi

Matthew and the other disciples so far?

____________________________________________________________________

Up to this point, those Jesus called to discipleship were apparently

devout Jews, as John 1:44, 45 implies. The call to Levi Matthew, how-

ever, comes to one on the fringes of society. He was a publican and, as

such, was deemed among the worst of society by the Jews.

Read

Matthew 5:46; 9:10, 11; Mark 2:16; and Luke 18:10, 11. What

do these texts tell us about how people such as Matthew were

viewed in that society?

____________________________________________________________________

Matthew was the most unlikely candidate for a call to discipleship.

First, he was called from the tax collector’s booth. Roman writers

linked these people with brothel keepers; the rabbis classed them with

robbers. They were seen as extortionists (Luke 3:12, 13), notoriously

dishonest and universally hated, especially since they were Jews who

defrauded their countrymen for the enemy and also swindled the gov-

ernment.

How unlikely that one with such a character and a reputation should

have been called to discipleship by Jesus! Yet, that is precisely what

happened. Christ’s call here speaks to the universality of the salvation

He brought, the inclusiveness of His kingdom, and His willingness to

give all a chance at salvation.

Who are some in your own society that are deemed outcasts,

socially and morally unacceptable? What kind of attitude do

you have toward those people? What can we learn, from the

story of Levi Matthew’s call, about not being too quick to pass

judgment upon others?

THURSDAY

January 17

The Calling

Based

on what we have looked at this week (and in previous weeks)

about the call to discipleship, what special message can we find for

ourselves in Hebrews 11:1?

____________________________________________________________________

The amazing thing about the response of these disciples to Christ’s

call was how little they must have known about what was coming,

about what they were getting into by leaving everything and following

the Master.

Though, as we saw this week, they had some biblical evidence at

that time for believing that Jesus was the Messiah

(John 1:45), a study

of the Gospels reveals how much of the work and ministry of Jesus

was still unknown to them, especially the most important part of His

work: His death on the cross. As we know, right up until the end, and

even after, they had grave misconceptions about what was to come.

Read

Mark 10:35–40, John 18:10, and Acts 1:6. How do these texts

help us grasp just how little they really understood?

____________________________________________________________________

Think about the advantages that we, as modern-day disciples, have

over those early disciples, especially right at the time they were first

called. Sure, they got to witness many incredible miracles; but at the

same time they did not know what we know about the work, the mis-

sion, and the ultimate triumph of what Christ was to accomplish. And

yet, despite this, they moved ahead in faith, the kind of faith revealed

in Hebrews 11:1.

Are you weak in faith? Could it be the things you are watching,

the things you are thinking about, the things you are devoting

your time to? What proactive steps can you take, right now, that

will help your faith grow?

FRIDAY

January 18

Further Study:

Read Luke 5:1–11; Ellen G. White, “We Have

Found the Messias,” pp. 132–143; “The Call by the Sea,” pp. 244–252,

The Desire of Ages; The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 352,

739, 909–911.

“Here were the four partners, in possession of the largest catch of

fish they had ever brought to shore. At the moment of their greatest

material success they abandoned their business. . . . Even in view of the

higher significance of the miracle it must have taken a real measure of

faith to leave their chosen occupation for an uncertain livelihood as

followers of an itinerant teacher who, up to this time, had apparently

had small success. . . . On the part of the disciples there was not the

least hesitancy. The decision to dissolve their successful partnership as

fishermen for a higher partnership with Jesus as fishers of men was

made instantly and intelligently. They needed no time to think things

over, no time to provide for the needs of their families. . . . They had

launched out into the deep as ordinary fishermen; when they returned

to shore they launched out by faith into the ‘deep’ to which Christ now

called them, to fish for men.”—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5,

p. 739.

Discussion Questions:

● In what ways do you need to rearrange your priorities so that

you can glorify God more effectively and be more consistent in

your discipleship?

● In reference to Thursday’s lesson, what are the advantages

that we today have over the disciples? What are the things that

we know about that they did not? Make a list of these things and

bring them to class. Discuss what you each find and then ask

yourselves: What are we doing with these advantages to help us

grow in grace ourselves? How can these advantages help us go

out and make disciples?

● Dwell more on the question regarding the call of Levi Matthew.

In class discuss the question of prejudice against certain groups.

What about your church as a whole? What groups of people are

deemed outcasts in your society? How can you minister to them?

So often churches reflect the culture around them, including the

prejudices of that culture. How open are you to the Matthews of

your own society? What can you do to help your own church

overcome this terrible symptom of fallen human nature?

tor

INSIDE

Growing God’s Church

by OD

I remember the day well. My cousin Tulga and I were chatting in his

home in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He started talking about Jesus and invited

me to visit a Bible study he attended. I decided to go.

I really enjoyed the small group meeting in someone’s apartment and

attended whenever I could. My new friends were different from other peo-

ple I knew. I felt safe there; no one was trying to hurt me or make me look

bad. I began to come out of my shell.

The Bible texts they read were powerful and seemed directed straight at

me. The principles I learned helped me deal with issues in my life. I began

reading the Bible on my own, and I could see my life changing.

Tulga told me that Sabbath was the day God had set aside as holy, that

humans changed the day of worship to Sunday. I realized he was right, that

my church didn’t teach the Bible as Adventists did. I eventually started

attending the Adventist church. After months of deep Bible study, I joined

the Adventist Church.

I love music and play the guitar and the piano. At first I wanted to intro-

duce the livelier music that had drawn me to the Sunday church into the

Adventist church. But my new church family helped me realize that some

of this music was not appropriate to worship.

I joined a singing group that sang several styles of music—classical, tra-

ditional, and some modern. But all the music focused on Jesus. I realized

that through our music we can touch people who don’t know Jesus yet, and

we can share our faith with other Christians.

God gave me musical talent, and I want to use it to build up the young

church in Mongolia. I have translated some Christian songs into

Mongolian and teach them to new groups.

Recently I helped some Korean young people hold evangelistic meet-

ings in Mongolia. After they left, I was shocked to learn that someone

wanted to sponsor me to study theology in Korea. I had finished high

school and had planned to attend a university in Mongolia and study

mechanical engineering. But I understand that this is God’s will, and I am

thrilled.

I used to look forward to being older and having authority and power.

But now I realize that God is challenging the young people of Mongolia

to use their talents for Him while they are young.

Your mission offerings have had a huge impact on growing the church

in Mongolia. Thank y

ou for your support.

OD is studying theolo

y in K

ea and will r

eturn to Mong

olia to minister to his people.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*January 19–25

Lessons From Would-be

Disciples

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matt. 8:19–22, 19:16–26,

Mark 10:17–23, Luke 4:16–30, 18:18–30, John 3:1–21.

Memor

y Text:

“Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let

me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No

one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the

kingdom of God’ ”

(Luke 9:61, 62, RSV).

ife comes filled with mysteries at every level. From the work-

ings of subatomic particles, to the very nature of space and time

themselves, there is so much we do not even begin to under-

stand.

Probably, though, of all things mysterious and hard to fathom, noth-

ing is more so than the workings of the human heart. People, in an

instant, for reasons that seem so unknowable (perhaps even to them-

selves), make decisions that can impact their lives in a dramatic way,

for good or bad, for all eternity. No wonder that Scripture, when talk-

ing about the heart, says, “Who can know it?”

(Jer. 17:9).

This week we will look at some would-be disciples and the decision

of their hearts.

The Week at a Glance:

What do the Gospels say about

would-be disciples?

What lessons ma

y we learn from their experi-

ences that can inf

orm our discipleship,

strengthen our faith, and

deepen our commitment?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 26.

SUNDAY

January 20

The Scribe

Read

Matthew 8:19, 20 (see also Luke 9:57, 58). What is the point of

this story? What message is here for us? What principles can we

take from it?

____________________________________________________________________

Here is a case of someone who, not specifically called by Jesus,

volunteered instead. Notice, too, just how intense his profession was.

He would follow the Lord anywhere. It is easy, even for a true follower

of the Lord, to make all sorts of pronouncements about being faithful

(Luke 22:33); it is not so easy, however, to follow up on them (vss.

55–61).

When

was the last time you made some bold promise of faithfulness

to God that you later broke? What lesson did you learn from that

experience?

____________________________________________________________________

What also is interesting about this encounter is that the person who

came to Jesus with that profession was a scribe, one of the educated

elite in Israel. They were men of “culture, education, and station in

life.”—

The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 365. Few scribes identi-

fied with Jesus; they were too upstanding. They followed Him, not to

be influenced by His teaching but to entrap Him. Yet, here was a scribe

who was touched by Jesus’ teaching to the extent that he volunteered

to become a disciple.

Yet, Jesus knew the heart, and His response shows that, perhaps, this

scribe’s motives were not pure. He may have wanted to join himself to

Jesus in hopes of gaining worldly advantage. Christ’s response, how-

ever, quickly should have disabused him of any such notions. In the

end, the text does not tell us what the ultimate choice of this scribe was.

From what Jesus said, it is not hard to imagine the scribe turning away.

How do we under

stand what was happening with this scribe and

with, for instance, Christ’s words in Mark 10:30? Are we not

promised some immediate advantages in following Jesus now?

If so, why is it not wrong to want those advantages? Or is it?

MONDAY

January 21

An Unnamed Disciple

Read

Matthew 8:21, 22. How do you understand what is going on

here? Why would Jesus say something like this to a person who

first wanted to bury his own father?

____________________________________________________________________

Yesterday we viewed a scribe who sought discipleship. Today we

encounter another volunteer, but one who is neither named as an indi-

vidual or identified with a specific group. Examining the narrative,

one wonders if Jesus was not unreasonable in His expectations. The

man asked to bury his father, and in the Jewish faith it was a sacred

duty to ensure a decent burial for a parent. What is going on?

Contrary to popular belief, the young man’s father was neither dead

nor even at the point of death. It was even possible that he was at the

time “enjoying good health, and the time of his death was indefinitely

in the future.”—The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 366. If this is

so, why did the man answer the way he did? Was it an excuse, one that

Jesus saw through? Because the dead were usually buried the same

day, had his father actually died, there would not have been a problem,

because he could have attended to matters and then returned to disci-

pleship.

This man’s response revealed his character. In contrast to the

scribe’s hastiness and impulsiveness, he was slow, lethargic, lacking in

zeal for the work, indecisive, and prone to procrastination. He was in

fact delaying his discipleship to the indefinite future because he did

not want to make an immediate commitment. If he did not commit

right then, he would perhaps never commit. The man was, apparently,

saying that he could begin discipleship only when the time was con-

venient for him. Furthermore, Jesus wanted it known that because of

the limited time He had for ministry and training disciples, disciple-

ship required undivided attention and full commitment.

Is the Lord calling y

ou to do something (End a r

elationship?

Give up a habit? Be faithful in tithe? Witness to someone?) that

you intend to do, but not now? What are the dangers of delaying?

TUESDAY

January 22

The Rich Young Ruler

Read

Mark 10:17–23 (see also Matt. 19:16–26, Luke 18:18–30). What

lessons can we pull from the story of this would-be disciple?

____________________________________________________________________

Today’s lesson covers a colorful character. He did not come either

timidly or under cover. He made a grand entrance. Mark says he ran

to Jesus and fell on his knees before Him. While Mark and Matthew

do not name the man, Luke says he was a ruler and thus perhaps a

member of the honored council of the Jews. Matthew says that he was

young. The name, the “rich young ruler,” is a composite description

derived from all three accounts.

In Jesus’ presence, he immediately began a discussion, seeking, it

seems, to flatter Jesus, who did not fall for the flattery. Instead, Jesus

went right to the heart of his question, pointing the man to the law of

God.

Why

would Jesus, who knew that salvation could not be attained by

works of the law (Rom. 3:28, Gal. 2:16), point him toward the law?

____________________________________________________________________

In a certain sense, the answer to that question is found in the

response of the young man. Though he kept the law, he sensed that it

was not enough. Something was missing, which is why he asked,

“What lack I yet?”

(Matt. 19:20). In other words, though he out-

wardly, in his actions, seemed a faithful follower of the Lord, some-

thing more was needed. Jesus’ words, and the man’s response to those

words, showed that his heart was not truly converted. By pointing him

to the commandments, Jesus showed him that true salvation is mani-

fested in an obedience to the law that involves death to self. The man’s

wealth had become an idol to him, and Jesus sho

wed him that, despite

his outward propriety

, his treasure w

as on earth, not in heaven, and he

needed a radical change of hear

You might be keeping the commandments, at least outwardly, but

where is your treasure? What reasons do you have for justifying

your answer?

WEDNESDAY

January 23

Nicodemus

One of the most famous accounts in the New Testament is that of

Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night and asked the question, “How

can these things be?”

(John 3:9).

Read

John 3:1–21. What “things” was Nicodemus asking about?

____________________________________________________________________

How interesting that Jesus would be talking to Nicodemus about the

workings of the Holy Spirit when, in fact, it was obvious from

Nicodemus’s words and actions that he himself was being convicted

by the Holy Spirit. For him to come to Jesus, not to try to trap him (as

so many of his contemporaries did) but to learn, shows the sincerity

of his heart.

What

can we learn from Christ’s words about discipleship from what

He said to Nicodemus?

____________________________________________________________________

Jesus’ response to Nicodemus not only was tailored to his needs but,

in John’s Gospel, serves to identify suitable and unsuitable character-

istics for discipleship. It says that physical birth and descent from the

Jewish nation are insufficient for authentic discipleship. Discipleship

presupposes a rebirth that unites one with the heavenly realm and

opens one up to the constant working of the Holy Spirit. That

Nicodemus misunderstood all this even further revealed the inade-

quacy of merely being born a Jew or being born into the right family;

it also provided an opportunity for further instruction on the nature of

discipleship. Although Nicodemus did not make an immediate and

open response to discipleship, he at times acted as a secret disciple. At

least initially, he was a would-be disciple, because he did not commit

then. As we know, that later changed

(John 19:39).

You might be of right descent; that is,

you might be in the right

church, with the right doctrines and teaching

, though, is

that not enough? How can we avoid the danger of thinking that

membership in the right church, or even knowledge of true doc-

trines, is all that w

e need?

THURSDAY

January 24

Herd Mentality

Salvation, we know, is personal. We are not saved in bunches; we

are not corporately brought into the kingdom of heaven (see Ezek.

14:20). In the end, we each will have to answer for our own deeds, not

for the deeds of others (Rom. 14:12).

Nevertheless, most of us do not live in isolation. We are in contact

with other people, and we influence others, just as we are influenced

by them. It is just part of human nature, even unfallen human nature

(see Gen. 3:6), that we influence one another, either for good or for

evil. How unfortunate that, unless we are careful, the influences can

be negative.

Read

Luke 4:16–30. What happened here? Why did the people, as a

group, act as they did? What led to the downfall of these would-be

disciples?

____________________________________________________________________

Though at first they all marveled at His words, once those words

became cutting, they turned, en masse, against Him. Imagine if some

would-be disciple there, instead of succumbing to anger, submitted to

the rebuke humbly. Who knows what his or her influence might have

been on the others? Instead, it says that they all in the synagogue

became angry, so angry that they tried to kill Him. No doubt each

one’s anger influenced another, and then another, until the whole syna-

gogue, who had come there to worship the Lord, in a spasm of anger

sought to kill Him instead. Had any one of these people encountered

Jesus’ rebuke on a one-to-one basis, they might have been angry, but

most likely they would have walked away. Now, though, feeling the

strength of a mob, they acted in a horrible way.

How easily influenced are you by the crowd, by the prejudices

and teachings of your own society and culture? What practical

steps could you take that could help protect you from the dan-

gers of this herd mentality?

FRIDAY

January 25

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 365,

366, 456–460, 602–605, 926–934; Ellen G. White, “Nicodemus,”

pp. 167–177; “Peace Be Still,” pp. 333–341; “One Thing Thou

Lackest,” pp. 518–523, in

The Desire of Ages.

“In this age of diseased piety and perverted principle, those who

are converted in life and practice will reveal a healthy and influential

spirituality. Those who have a knowledge of the truth as it is revealed

in God’s word must now come to the front. My brethren, God requires

this of you. Every jot of your influence is now to be used on the right

side. All are now to learn how to stand in defense of truth that is wor-

thy of acceptance.”—Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry, p. 22.

“But while Nicodemus had not publicly acknowledged Christ, he

had in the Sanhedrin council repeatedly thwarted the schemes of the

priests to destroy Him. When at last Christ had been lifted up on the

cross, Nicodemus remembered the words that He had spoken to him

in the night interview on the Mount of Olives, ‘As Moses lifted up the

serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up’

(John 3:14); and he saw in Jesus the world’s Redeemer.”—Ellen G.

White,

The Acts of the Apostles, p. 104.

Discussion Questions:

● Has there ever been a time when you got caught up in a herd

mentality, when you went along with the crowd, perhaps in a fit

of emotion, and did something you later regretted? If so, what

have you learned from that experience that could help protect

you from doing the same thing again?

● Think more about the point addressed earlier this week

regarding the idea that being part of the true church is not

enough. What message is there for us as Seventh-day Adventists?

How are we in danger of falling into that same trap, that idea

that because we believe that we have truth, that is all we need? In

class, talk about how we can protect ourselves from that delusion.

● Review the reason that these would-be disciples used to not

make a commitment (with, we know for sure, the exception of

Nicodemus). What other excuses do people use? How can we as a

church help those who are struggling with this momentous deci-

sion?

● What’s the difference between being a “believer” and being a

disciple?

tor

INSIDE

Crash Course in Faith

by JOHN MAKEUSA

I was a new believer. I boarded a small passenger plane in the Congo to

fly to another city. Halfway to our destination in torrential rain, the navi-

gation system developed a problem. Then one engine stopped. The pilot

descended to look for a place to land.

I prayed as the pilot struggled to bring the plane down safely. Then the

other engine stopped working. Without power we had no control over the

plane. I prayed earnestly, “Lord, if You have work for me to do, please save

us.”

We crashed onto the savannah and flipped over, tumbling to a stop. My

seatbelt broke, and I was knocked unconscious. I awoke lying outside the

plane. I had neck and leg injuries and couldn’t walk. We saw no one

around and had no idea where to go for help, so we slept fitfully by the

plane that night.

The next morning we saw two men paddling a canoe down a nearby

river and shouted at them. Because it was a time of war, the men thought

we were military and took us to the guerilla army headquarters nearby.

These soldiers could have killed us, for we were from “enemy” territory.

But God protected us, and the soldiers fed us and bandaged our wounds.

A week later when we were able to walk, soldiers marched us to their

commander, 130 miles (200 kilometers) away. When we arrived four days

later, the commander questioned us. I told him I was an Adventist

Christian, not a soldier. He held us for a month. During this time I shared

my faith, and one soldier asked how to become a Christian. I told him all

that I knew and prayed with him as he accepted Jesus as his Lord. When

we were set free, we walked toward the Tanzanian border to find help.

Soldiers at the border arrested us, thinking we were soldiers. They held

us for more than two months. Throughout our ordeal I shared my faith

with the pilot and other passengers as well as with our captors. We prayed

together, and the other men asked me to pray for them, as well.

When finally we were freed to return home, we had been gone four

months. Everyone thought we were dead. What gladness when we arrived!

What rejoicing when I testified how God had saved us, not once but four

times, and helped me share my faith with strangers. The experience helped

me know I can trust God in everything.

Evangelism takes many forms, and your mission offerings make evan-

gelism possible.

JOHN MAKEUSA is a mec

hanic living in Goma, Democr

atic Repub

lic of the Cong

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*January 26–February 1

Gender and

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This W

eek’s Study:

Mark 5:25–34, Luke

1:26–38, 8:1–3, 10:38–42, John 4:4–30.

Memory Text:

“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the

Lord; let it be with me according to your word’ ” (Luke 1:38,

NRSV).

omen were, one way or another, intimately involved in

Christ’s ministry, even from the start. Mary, His earthly

mother, gave birth to the infant Jesus. Of course, only a

woman could have done that, but her example of faith and submission

remains a powerful one for all who would seek to be a disciple of

Jesus. Then, all through the Gospels, we can see the crucial role of

women. From Mary the mother of Jesus, from the woman who

touched His garment and was healed, to the woman at the well, and

others, it is clear that a woman open to the prompting of God’s grace

could be a follower and disciple of Christ.

In an attempt to gain more insights into what it means to be a disci-

ple, this week we will take a look at how Jesus interacted with some

women.

The Week at a Glance:

What incredible things was Mary,

Jesus’ mother, asked to accept on faith? What does the Bible say

about the role of women in the ministry of Jesus? What can we

learn about discipleship fr

om the story of the woman at the well?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 2.

SUNDAY

January 27

“Be It Unto Me”

Read

Luke 1:26–38. Try to place yourself in the position of Mary.

What can we learn about her character from these verses? What

very difficult things was she told to believe?

____________________________________________________________________

Even in an ancient society, where the concept of the supernatural

was much more readily accepted than it is in many of our modernistic,

scientific cultures, the angel’s words to Mary must have stretched her

faith to the limits. First, she would be pregnant though still a virgin.

Had that ever happened before in the history of the world? If that were

not hard enough, her child would be the Son of God. Her question,

“How shall this be?” was natural and normal enough. But once the

angel pointed her to the miracle of her cousin Elisabeth, who con-

ceived in old age (Luke 1:5–25), and then gave her the powerful re-

assurance, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (vs. 37), Mary

responded with an affirmation of faith and acceptance.

Read

prayerfully and carefully her response to the angel: “Be it unto

me, according to thy word” (vs. 38). What kind of attitude does

this reveal? What kind of model of faith does Mary’s example pro-

vide for us?

____________________________________________________________________

After centuries of theological discussion on the question of the

Incarnation (the coming of Jesus in humanity), the subject remains an

incredible mystery. Imagine how much this young woman did not

understand about what was happening to her. And yet, even with all

she did not know, she surrendered herself in faith to the Lord and

wanted His will to be done.

As with Mary

, we are asked to believe in things we do not fully

understand. Compare your spirit to the spirit of faith Mary rep-

resented here. How open are you to trusting God on the things

you just do not understand?

MONDAY

January 28

Female Followers of Jesus

Luke

8:1–3 describes Jesus’ second Galilean tour. Besides the Twelve

original disciples, who else accompanied Jesus on this tour?

____________________________________________________________________

Luke is very explicit that women accompanied Jesus on His mis-

sionary tours. This should not be surprising, because Luke’s Gospel

emphasizes the salvation and the release Jesus brought to the outcasts,

the women.

“Luke is the only gospel writer to record many of the details of the

early life of Jesus, and often does so from the viewpoint of the women

most concerned—Mary, Elisabeth, and Anna. . . . It is as if Luke were

saying the gospel of the kingdom of heaven was as much for women as

for men, and that their part in its proclamation was equally impor-

tant.

”—

The SD

A Bible Commentary,

vol. 5, pp. 769, 770.

Jesus’ act of allowing female disciples was unique. Various religious

movements in that time did not include women. Some teachers said that

women were emptyheaded, were not to be taught, should not be seen in

public with men, and should be confined to the home and domestic arts.

Yet, from the earliest pages of the Gospel right up to the end, women, in

one way or another, were involved in the life and mission of Jesus.

Read

Matthew 27:55, 56 and Mark 15:40, 41.What more do they add

about the role of women in the ministry of Jesus?

____________________________________________________________________

Having been healed of various maladies, some of these women

showed their love and devotion by assisting in His work and providing

for His sustenance. Some of them might have been widows, since they

were part of the missionary tour and had sustenance to provide for the

needs of Jesus and His disciples. Whatever the specifics, the Word of

God shows that women played an important role in the earliest days of

the church.

Read Galatians 3:28. Looking beyond the immediate context,

what should these words tell about how contrary to the princi-

ples of Christ prejudice is? Examine your own heart. What atti-

tude and prejudices might y

ou be holding that ar

e contr

ary to

God’s Word?

TUESDAY

January 29

“If I May Touch His Clothes . . .”

Read

Mark 5:25–34, the famous account of the woman healed from a

distressing malady. Though the story does not portray the woman

as a disciple per se, she displayed the kind of faith so necessary for

discipleship.

Notice the interesting contrast between how she approached Jesus

and how Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, did

(Mark 5:22, 23).

What

were the differences between their approaches? At the same

time, what was the one thing they apparently had in common?

____________________________________________________________________

As far as we can tell, this woman had not seen Jesus before.

According to the text, it was when she had heard of Him that she

came. Someone had witnessed to her, telling her of this Man, and she

moved ahead in faith, even without seeing anything for herself. This

was her first act of faith

(see also John 20:29, Heb. 11:1).

No question; according to the texts, the woman was desperate.

Levitical law deemed her unclean. People were not to come in physi-

cal contact with her. If she had been married, she would not have been

allowed intimate relations with her husband; in fact, technically, she

would not even have been able to touch her own children. All this for

12 years!

What

was the next great act of faith on her part?

____________________________________________________________________

However secretly the woman sought to act, Jesus turned it into a

public display. She told Him (and everyone listening) what had hap-

pened. By giving her own testimony, she did her first act as a disciple.

Now that the whole event was known publicly, how much easier it

would be for her to tell others about w

hat Jesus had done for her. She

had come to Jesus because she had heard about Him; she now could

tell others about Him, as well.

Why must we continue to trust in the Lord even when healing,

as or when w

e w

ant it,

does not come? If w

e stop trusting,

hat

have we left?

WEDNESDAY

January 30

Troubled by Many Things

In order to be a disciple, we need to know Jesus personally. We must

have a close relationship with Him. This can come only by spending

time with Him. In our busy lives, with so many important things vying

for our time, how easy it is to get caught up in things, even good and

important things, and let our relationship with God slip.

Read

Luke 10:38–42. How does this episode reveal how even good

things can distract us from what is most important? What message

for you can be found in the story of these two female “disciples”?

____________________________________________________________________

Mary heard His word. No one can be a true disciple who does not

hear His word. The text said, too, that she sat at His feet. First-century

teachers sat on high stools while their students sat at their feet on

lower stools or the floor. To sit at one’s feet means to adopt the pos-

ture of a disciple or learner. That she sat at Jesus’ feet meant that she

was His student

(compare Acts 22:3).

In contrast was her sister, Martha. The Greek text says that she was

“drawn away” by much serving. In one sense, this could be under-

standable. After all, the Master had come to their house, so it was their

responsibility to tend to their guests’ needs. At the same time, her plea

that her sister help also echoed customary conventional values and

expectations. Mary’s place was in the kitchen—the part of the house-

hold designated for women—not in the dining area with the men.

Yet, Jesus did not rebuke Mary; He chided Martha. He named her

twice, perhaps showing concern. Martha’s complaints were justified,

but Jesus’ rebuke reminds us there are issues more important than

other necessary things. We all need to take heed, for sometimes we

allow the urgent to crowd out the important or the good to exclude the

vital and necessary.

How can you find the proper balance in your own life between

things that m

ust be done and spending time at the feet of Jesus?

What adjustments might you need to make? At the same time,

can one ever be too much like Mary and not enough like

Martha? If so, how?

THURSDAY

January 31

The Woman at the Well

Read

John 4:4–30. How did Jesus go about winning the confidence of

this woman and, essentially, turning her into a disciple?

____________________________________________________________________

The process of winning the woman of Samaria deserves the most

careful study on the part of all who set out to win others to Christ.

There were four main stages in this process: (1) The awakening of

a desire for something better (vss. 7–15); (2) The awakening of a con-

viction of personal need (vss. 16–20); (3) The call for a decision to

acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah (vss. 21–26); (4) The stimulus to

action appropriate to the decision (vss. 26–30, 39–42).

Imagine what must have gone on in the mind of this woman. First,

this stranger, a Jew, shows her unexpected kindness. The next thing

she knows, He reveals to her some of her deepest and darkest secrets,

something that most likely no one but she knew. Her response, “Sir, I

perceive that thou art a prophet”

(vs. 19), is a confession, not only of

her own sins but that Jesus is Someone special. Notice, too, that when

the woman sought to change the subject, Jesus did not press her any-

more with her sins. Instead, He picked up on her conversation and

used it to point to more truth, ultimately leading her back to Himself,

this time not as a prophet but as the Messiah. Impressed by Jesus—no

doubt mostly by His knowledge of her secrets—the woman believed

Him.

Look

at how she witnessed to her own people (vss. 29, 39). What so

impressed her about Jesus? Might there not have been a bit of a

confession in her own witness? How effective was this witness?

____________________________________________________________________

The Lord changed this woman, apparently no bastion of purity

and piety, into a powerful witness for Himself. What lessons can

you draw from this story a

bout (1) not judging the hear

ts of oth

ers and (2) forgiveness and grace even for the worst of sinners?

FRIDAY

February 1

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 607,

608, 656, 657, 669, 670, 785, 786, 940–942; Ellen G. White, “Lazarus,

Come Forth,” pp. 524–536, in The Desire of Ages.

“The ‘one thing’ that Martha needed was a calm, devotional spirit,

a deeper anxiety for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life,

and the graces necessary for spiritual advancement. She needed less

anxiety for the things which pass away, and more for those things

which endure forever. Jesus would teach His children to seize every

opportunity of gaining that knowledge which will make them wise

unto salvation.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 525.

“One of the characteristics of the Gospel of Luke is its frequent ref-

erences to Christ’s ministry for the womenfolk of Palestine and the

ministry of some of them on His behalf. This was something new, for

the role of Jewish women in public life had been a relatively minor

one, although in isolated instances, prophets like Elisha had minis-

tered to women and been ministered to by them.”—The SDA Bible

Commentary, vol. 5, p. 769.

Discussion Questions:

● Go back over the story of Mary being told about becoming

Jesus’ mother. Again, think about what amazing things she was

told to believe, things she could not possibly understand. Think

about many of the things we Christians are told to believe that we

cannot possibly understand. And though we do not understand

them, we still have faith and even reasons to believe them. Bring

your thoughts to class and, as a class, talk about these things and

why we can and should believe them, regardless of what we do

not understand. How can we help others who are struggling to

believe in things that, in the end, have to be taken on faith?

● At a time when, in most countries, the membership of the

church seems to be predominantly female, why should the

church not discourage female discipleship?

● Jesus was revolutionary, transforming, liberating, innovative,

restorative, sensitive, and supportive. No one was ignored, mar-

ginalized, or ostracized in His presence. Contemporary disciples

should emulate Him and model His example for all classes, cul-

tures, genders, peoples, and nations. How can you help your local

church be a place where all are welcomed and can find a role in

service?

tor

INSIDE

Chrislam

by DANIEL PEREZ

Only a few of the teenagers attend the little mission school on our island

in southern Philippines. Most are embarrassed because they can’t read or

write and don’t want to be teased by their younger siblings who attend the

mission school. So these teenage boys spend their time diving in the coral

reefs and catching fish. They keep us supplied with fresh fish every day.

We teachers wanted to reach these young men, but we were not sure

how. Finally we decided to try to engage them through sports. We told the

boys what we wanted to do, and they helped us clear an area to make a

simple basketball court. We found a metal ring to use as the hoop and

pooled our money to buy a basketball. Then we taught them to play. They

enjoyed the game and soon played quite well. We formed teams to encour-

age them.

We went swimming with them and invited them to eat at our cottage.

Sometimes we worshiped with them in their Mosque. We became friends.

During a group massage session we held for the boys, some of them

opened their hearts to us. They talked about problems they faced, and we

listened. Little by little we realized that they noticed we don’t smoke, don’t

drink fermented coconut juice, and don’t eat shellfish. Their religion for-

bids these things, but they do them anyway.

One day they expressed their questions to us. “Teacher,” one said. “You

are different from most Christians we know. You don’t smoke or drink

alcohol or eat pork as most Christians do. Our elders tell us that smoking

and drinking alcohol is bad because it destroys the

Masjid [temple] of

Allah.

“We Muslims worship on Friday, and most Christians worship on

Sunday. You Adventists are a bridge between Muslims and Christians, and

you worship on Saturday. Thus, you live the life of true Islam. That is why

we respect you as you live up to what a true child of Allah should be. Thus,

we will call you Chrislams, which means Christians who live as Islam.”

We were humbled as we realized that our actions had spoken so clearly

what our mouths couldn’t say to these sincere and open young sons of

Islam. Pray for them as they search for the path to the living God. Pray for

the student missionaries who teach these children of Allah to truly live for

Him.

Our mission offerings help support Mountain View College, which

sends student missionaries throughout southern Philippines.

DANIEL PEREZ is a pseudon

ym. Because of the sensitive natur

e of the w

k in his ar

ea, w

have chosen to protect his identity.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*February 2–8

Ethnicity and

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This W

eek’s Study:

Matt. 15:21–28; Luke

7:1–11; John 1:3; Acts 10:28, 34, 35; 11:25–30.

Memory Text:

“I have become all things to all men, that I might

by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22, RSV).

im felt called to take the gospel to a foreign country. Upon arrival,

he discovered that the people had a test for foreigners to earn the

right to stay among them. The foreigner had to swallow, and not

regurgitate, a potion. If the person failed the test, he or she had to

leave immediately; otherwise, they could be eaten by the tribe. Jim

watched the tribe prepare the potion of milk, human saliva, blood,

chewed-up herbs, and other herbal concoctions. It looked and smelled

sickening. All he could do was pray—and drink. To everyone’s amaze-

ment (especially his own), Jim drank it and held it down, earning the

right to remain.

Making disciples might require us to do strange things: eat or drink

strange mixtures and be all things to all people so we can win some.

This is the call and challenge of discipleship, especially as the gospel

goes around the world and into cultures sometimes radically different

from our own.

The Week at a Glance:

What other examples do we have

of Jesus ministering to others besides Jews? Who were the God-

fearers, and what can we learn from them about discipleship?

What can we lear

n today from the Antioch model of discipleship?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 9.

SUNDAY

February 3

Disciples Among the Samaritans

Look

up the following texts. What can we learn from them about

God’s attitude toward all races and people? John 1:3; Acts 10:28,

34, 35; 17:26–28; Heb. 2:9.

____________________________________________________________________

Scripture is clear: Not only did Christ create all humanity, He died

for all humanity as well, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic ori-

gin. The universality of Christ’s death, the fact that His death was for

every human being, should be more than enough to show us how

repugnant prejudice is to God.

It is no wonder, then, that when Jesus was here, He ministered not

just to the Jews but to non-Jews, as well. Though Paul is understood

to be the apostle to the Gentiles, Jesus was already witnessing to them

when here in the flesh.

Read

Luke 17:11–16 and John 4:39–42.What is going on here? What

message should we take away from these texts?

____________________________________________________________________

Last week’s lesson showed that the woman at the well left her water

pots and went to invite the villagers to meet Jesus after He had told

her everything she ever did. She even introduced the possibility of His

being the Messiah. Scripture says that many of the villagers believed

because of the woman’s testimony. When they met Jesus, they per-

suaded Him to stay, presumably to teach them.

The story of the ten lepers

(Luke 17:11–16) also speaks to Jesus’ work

for Samaritans. The tenth leper, who returned to give thanks, was a

Samaritan. By praising God in a loud voice, he showed his gratefulness

for what Jesus had done for him. Jesus told this Samaritan that his faith

had made him well. The Greek word used for this healing denotes the

idea of being saved. This implies that the Samaritan’s faith had saved him

not only physically but spiritually. Jesus also called the Samaritan a for-

eigner. Despite knowing him to be a Samaritan and a foreigner, Jesus did

not discriminate against him but rewarded his faith. These encounters

show that Jesus did not conform to the prejudices of His time.

It is one thing to sa

y w

e should not harbor prejudice against

anyone; it is another, actually, to be free of these poisonous emo-

tions. What pr

actical steps can y

ou take to help break the bonds

of prejudice in your own heart?

MONDAY

February 4

The God-Fearers

In the first century, some Gentiles were called God-fearers. They

nominally accepted Judaism, made gifts to synagogues, and attended

Sabbath services. They did not, however, submit to proselyte baptism

or adopt all the rabbinic regulations. One such God-fearer was the

centurion of Luke 7:1–11.

Read

Luke 7:1–11. From these texts, what can we learn about the

faith and character of this Gentile disciple?

____________________________________________________________________

For Jesus, the faith of this centurion “was an earnest of the work

which the gospel was to accomplish among the Gentiles. With joy He

looked forward to the gathering of souls from all nations to His king-

dom.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 317.

Acts 10 mentions another Roman official. Cornelius was a devout

God-fearer and a centurion. He was generous to the needy and prayed

earnestly to God. God sent an angel to inform him of the acceptance

of his gifts and prayers and sent him in search of Peter. Peter went to

his home, contrary to Jewish scruples, and was even reprimanded for

it. But God told him not to call common or unclean those, like

Cornelius, whom He had cleansed.

As Peter preached to Cornelius’s assembled household

(Acts

10:44–46), the Holy Spirit interrupted him with the Gentile Pentecost,

to the amazement of his Jewish companions.

Read

Acts 11:1–3. What was the reaction of the Jewish followers of

Jesus? What makes that reaction so shocking to us today? What

message can we take away from their actions?

____________________________________________________________________

Here they were, themselves followers of Jesus, yet not understand-

ing the fullness of the gospel. How careful we should be not to allow

any cultural, educational, or social influences contrary to the princi-

ples of Christ to hinder us from li

ving to the fullest the profession w

claim for ourselves.

TUESDAY

February 5

The Canaanite

At one point in His ministry, Jesus withdrew to the regions of Tyre

and Sidon. He had to, in a sense, get out of town because things were

getting tense with the leaders. In this Gentile territory He entered a

house but did not want anyone to know it

(Mark 7:24). Yet, a

Canaanite woman soon found Him.

Read

Matthew 15:21–28 and answer the following questions:

1. Why did the woman call Jesus by a Messianic name, “Son of

David”? What did that imply concerning her knowledge of Jesus?

____________________________________________________________________

2. How did His disciples react to her, and why was that typical of

them?

____________________________________________________________________

3. What kind of appeal did she make? How helpless is she?

____________________________________________________________________

4. What things happened that should have discouraged her but did

not?

____________________________________________________________________

Despite coming from a despised nation that had a long history of

enmity with Israel, despite being ignored at first by Jesus, despite the

attitude of the disciples, even despite Christ’s own words to her at first,

she knew that Jesus was her only hope. Perhaps it was a tenacity born

out of desperation. Who kno

ws? But in the end, we are all just as

dependent upon Christ, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Jesus also has a powerful lesson for His own disciples. Christ’s pur-

pose was to teach them about the need to work for non-Jews, and this

He did by acting out the contrast between the usual attitudes and His

own. These Twelv

e had a lot to lear

n about what it meant to be disciples.

Look again at this woman. What can we learn from her attitudes,

actions, words, and faith that can make us better disciples?

WEDNESDAY

February 6

Philip and the Ethiopian Official

One of the most fascinating stories about discipleship is found in

Acts 8:26–40. It is the story of Philip and the eunuch.

Read

the whole story (Acts 8:26–40) and answer the following ques-

tions:

1. What indications show us that this man already had some

knowledge of truth and was a seeker after truth?

____________________________________________________________________

2. What role did the Scriptures play in his becoming a disciple?

____________________________________________________________________

3. What can we learn about discipleship from the role of Philip in

this story? What characteristics did Philip show that made him

such an effective witness for the Lord?

____________________________________________________________________

In this story, providence played a powerful role, did it not? After

obeying the angel, Philip met the eunuch on the road. Interesting, too,

that Philip was to go from Jerusalem to Gaza (What symbolism do

you see there?). The Ethiopian was, apparently, another God-fearer.

He also just happened to be reading the Bible, and not only the

Scripture but Isaiah, and not only Isaiah but the greatest Messianic

prophecy in all the Bible, chapter 53. This chapter, of course, depicts

Christ’s substitutionary death for us. Then, after Philip explained to

him the meaning of the Scripture, they came to a certain water, and the

eunuch wanted to be baptized. Everything fell right into place.

Read Acts 8:39. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing, surely

about His newfound discovery of Jesus’ dying for His sins. We

say that faith is not feeling and that we need to maintain faith

even when we feel bad. At the same time, why should we, as dis-

ciples who have been forgiven our sins through the death of

Jesus, always have a place in our heart for rejoicing, regardless

of our immediate circumstances?

THURSDAY

February 7

The Antioch Church

The persecution that followed the stoning of Stephen and the pre-

conversion activities of Saul of Tarsus took the gospel to many lands.

Among the places it went was Syrian Antioch, where the first orga-

nized presentation of the gospel for Gentiles occurred. Luke says that

the Lord was with this initiative and that “a great number of people

believed and turned to the Lord”

(Acts 11:21, NIV). So phenomenal

was the growth that the Jerusalem leaders sent Barnabas to assist

them.

Upon his arrival, Barnabas secured the help of Saul of Tarsus for

this discipleship mission. This had a positive effect on the church. It

not only caused the church to grow but also gave it a sense of social

concern, stewardship, and mission.

Read

Acts 11:25–30. What were the issues? How did the church

respond? What lessons can we take away from this account for our

mission today?

____________________________________________________________________

Notice, too, that when Paul and Barnabas got to Antioch, they

taught much people for a year. What should that tell us about the

importance of teaching in the question of discipleship?

Acts 13:1–3 reveals more about the makeup of the early church. We

know that Barnabas was a Cypriot Jew; Saul, of course, came from

Tarsus, another city that was not part of Israel proper. Manaen was

either a good friend or foster-brother of Herod Antipas. Simeon was

called

Niger, the Latin word for “black.” Lucius hailed from Cyrene in

North Africa. This means that the leadership of the church was ethni-

cally diverse, with some of the leaders not being Jews at all.

These leaders took their discipleship seriously. They worshiped the

Lord with fasting and prayer. It was to this church, one that took disciple-

ship seriously, that the Spirit revealed God’s will for missions. Saul

and Barnabas were commissioned and consecrated to take the gospel

to the ends of the ear

th in fulfillment of Acts 1:8.

Thus, we see in these texts mission, teaching, consecration, and dedi-

cation of both Jew and Gentile, as the cornerstones of discipleship.

The needs of other

s pr

esent the chur

ch with gr

eat oppor

tunities

for service and witness. No doubt there are a great many needs

around you. How well have you taken advantage of these needs

to serve others and to witness to them about Jesus?

FRIDAY

February 8

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 626,

627, 1021–1025; Ellen G. White, “The Centurion,” pp. 315–318;

“Barriers Broken Down,” pp. 399– 403; “In the Outer Court,”

pp. 621–623, in The Desire of Ages; John 12:20–33, Acts 9:1–31,

22:1–21, 26:2–18.

“He [the Centurion] had not seen the Saviour, but the reports he

heard had inspired him with faith. Notwithstanding the formalism of

the Jews, this Roman was convinced that their religion was superior to

his own. Already he had broken through the barriers of national preju-

dice and hatred that separated the conquerors from the conquered

people. He had manifested respect for the service of God, and had

shown kindness to the Jews as His worshipers. In the teaching of

Christ, as it had been reported to him, he found that which met the

need of the soul. All that was spiritual within him responded to the

Saviour’s words.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 315.

Discussion Questions:

● Look more closely at the Antioch model. What things could

your local church learn from this model that could make it a

more effective witness for Christ?

● As a church, the Adventists are very good at getting people to

join, as our growing numbers of baptisms prove. We are, though,

struggling with the question of discipleship, the question of what

to do with these people after we baptize them. As we know, far

too many who join soon leave. What are your own thoughts on this

problem? What has been your experience with being discipled

after you were baptized and joined the church? What do you

wish might have been done differently with you? What do you

think your local church could do, must do, to disciple new mem-

bers better? Be prepared to talk about this issue in your Sabbath

School class.

● The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53. Go over the chapter and

review what it tells us about the death of Jesus on our behalf. What

does the text tell us that Jesus did for us? What hope does it offer?

Why is it so important to keep His death for us at the forefront of

all our witnessing?

y is it so important that we keep the Cross

at the front and center of all our discipling,

as well?

tor

INSIDE

Are You Sure?

by HOMER TRECARTIN

Raquel’s parents are church planters for their denomination in Brazil.

Their first church plant has 10,000 members, and their second numbered

2,000 when Raquel moved to the United States to study.

Raquel missed home and yearned to hear her native Portuguese. She

met a Brazilian Adventist couple who befriended her and invited her to

church. She went once, but she loved her own church.

A year later the Adventist couple told Raquel that they were planting a

new church and invited her to visit. Raquel went and felt drawn to this

group. She began studying the Bible and shared what she was learning

with her parents.

Raquel’s worried mother pleaded, “Those Adventists are a cult. They

will brainwash you.” Raquel explained that no one was brainwashing her,

she was just studying the Bible. But her mother worried even more.

Then her brother came to visit. Raquel knew that her parents had sent

him to “straighten her out,” but she was glad to have family nearby. David

insisted that they attend their family church on Sunday, and Raquel

agreed—provided David attended the Adventist church with her on

Sabbath. David thought he would see how this cult was misleading her.

Three months later David and Raquel were still attending the Adventist

church on Sabbath and their family’s church on Sunday. David studied the

Bible, too, trying to prove Raquel wrong. When Raquel decided to be bap-

tized, David asked her, “Are you sure you want to do this? You know what

it is going to do to Mother and Father.”

“Yes, David,” Raquel replied. “It will break their hearts, but I have to

follow Jesus.”

She noticed tears on David’s cheeks. Then David said, “Raquel, I want

to be baptized with you.”

When they told their parents the news, their mother cried. But their

father said simply, “Be faithful to what you believe God wants you to do.”

Raquel’s parents came to the United States for her wedding. They vis-

ited the Adventist church with their children. It seemed strange to them,

but they saw the deep love Raquel and David have for Jesus. They still

attend the church they planted in Brazil, but they are studying the things

Raquel and David are sharing with them.

Your mission offerings help plant new churches such as the one Raquel

and David attend.

HOMER TRECARTIN is special pr

ojects coor

dinator f

or the Of

ice of

Adventist Mission in the

General Conference.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

I t

raveled through eleven time zones in Russia, Moldova, and Belarus,

worshipping with fellow believers in simple house churches, unﬁ

nished

buildings, and in a dark basement hall. For now, these are the only

places many church members can afford. Believers would love to have a

traditional house of worship, but it will take years to raise the money

needed to complete their church building projects.

We can help our friends in the former Soviet Union to reach out for

Christ by providing the means to ﬁnish their church building projects. In

some places, they are anxiously waiting for funds so that they can start

building a new church in their area. How wonderful it would be for them

to have a real place of worship to welcome their new believers!

This Thirteenth Sabbath I’m going to give a special offering to help my

new friends who are trying to ﬁnish God’s work without the funds

they need. For me it’s personal.

L ESSON

*February 9–15

Preparation for

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matthew 5–7, 10:1,

10:5–11:1, Mark 3:1–19, Luke 6:12–16.

Memory Text:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a

hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the

bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the

house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that

they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in

heaven”

(Matthew 5:14–16, NRSV).

disciple is a learner/follower of Jesus Christ who constantly

seeks to become like the Master. Just as Jesus trained and sent

out His disciples, every local church must inaugurate an effec-

tive program for the facilitating, encouraging, and developing of disci-

ples. After all, what good does it do us if the folk we baptize soon leave?

We are not being faithful to our Divine commission, because Jesus said,

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:19); yet,

the word translated “teach” comes from the Greek word that also means

“to make a disciple.” (Indeed, numerous versions translate it in that

manner.)

This week we will look at preparation for discipleship.

The Week at a Glance:

w did J

esus pr

epare His disci-

ples? What principles can we learn for ourselves regarding disciple-

ship from what He said to them before sending them out? What can

we learn from the Sermon on the Mount that is crucial for disciple-

ship? What kind of opposition should disciples of Christ e

xpect?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 16.

SUNDAY

February 10

The Appointing of the Apostles

Mark 3 begins with Jesus entering a synagogue and healing a man

with a withered hand on the Sabbath, one of His famous Sabbath heal-

ings. A great irony is found in these texts (Mark 3:1–12): The rulers

sought how they might kill Him, while great multitudes of people

flocked after Him. One group feared His power; another coveted to be

blessed and benefited by it.

Read

Mark 3:13–18. What was happening here? See also Luke

6:12–16.

____________________________________________________________________

From both accounts, it seems that at some point Jesus got away

from the great multitude that followed Him, taking with Him a select

group of disciples. From among this group of disciples, He then

picked out twelve to do the work of apostles.

For this task, Jesus chose the ones He wanted. This implies, as we

have seen, that the initiative resides with Him. He extends the call; we

respond. This means that we must be available for service, in whatever

capacity we are called to serve in.

How do disciples and apostles differ? Disciples were learners. They

followed a master to study with that master. The term

apostle comes

from two Greek words, apo and stello, implying “to send from.” An

apostle was an ambassador or emissary sent to represent a master or a

kingdom. While both a disciple and an apostle are students, an apos-

tle received additional training to be sent forth as a representative of

the master or organization.

Jesus appointed the Twelve so that they might be with Him and that

He might send them out to preach. Matthew says that, He “gave them

authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sick-

ness”

(Matt. 10:1, NIV). It appears He chose them to provide trained

workers to assist in caring for the large throngs that flocked wherever

He went (adapted from The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 322).

How content are you with the work that you are doing for the

Lord? Should y

ou be doing more? Could you be doing more?

What is holding you back? In most cases, is it not your own

pride and selfishness?

MONDAY

February 11

The Sermon on the Mount

Many see the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) as Jesus’ inau-

gural address, in which He outlined the ethics of His kingdom. It is

also, in many ways, a manifesto of discipleship, for it holds the keys

to being a faithful disciple of Christ.

Read

Matthew 5:1. What was the background of the sermon? To

whom did He immediately give it?

____________________________________________________________________

Who knows how many books have been written expounding upon

this sermon? For our purposes, we want to look at what things in it are

especially pertinent to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Read

Matthew 5:13–16. What is the message there for us, as disciples

of Christ? Why are these words particularly important to us as

Adventists, given our understanding of the three angels’ messages

of Revelation 14:6–12?

____________________________________________________________________

Read

Matthew 6:5–13. What important lesson is Jesus giving us here

for discipleship?

____________________________________________________________________

Read Matthew 6:19–21. Why are these words, in many ways, the

essence of what true discipleship is about? Ask yourself, “Where

is my treasure [That is, where is my heart?], in heaven or on

earth?” If y

ou do not like the answer, what can you do to

change?

_____________________________________________________

TUESDAY

February 12

The Sermon on the Mount, Continued

As said in a previous lesson, one of the greatest struggles we face

as a church is retaining new members, keeping them in the flock after

we baptize them. All this is linked with the theme of discipleship, the

theme of teaching people what it means to be a follower of Christ, a

citizen in His new kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is filled with

illustrations and teachings that all disciples of Christ must learn to fol-

low. As we continue studying the sermon, ask yourself, “How can I

apply these teachings in my own life? Also, how can our church bet-

ter teach these things to new members, to make them better disciples

of Christ?”

Read

Matthew 7:1–5. What important lesson, and warning, is given

there that is crucial for all disciples of Christ to learn? What does

it mean not to judge?

____________________________________________________________________

Read

Matthew 7:15–20.What message is Jesus giving to His disciples

here? As you read these texts, ask yourself, “What kind of fruit am

I, myself, bearing?”

____________________________________________________________________

It is one thing to profess being a follower, a student, or a disciple of

Christ; it is another to be one. As we seek to make disciples, or to be

good disciples ourselves, we must not forget the clear words of Jesus

in the following texts.

Read Matthew 7:24–27.Why is it important to understand what

Jesus is saying here? What issues are, literally, at stake here?

How do we understand these words with the other Bible prom-

ises of salvation being by faith and not by works?

_____________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY

February 13

Instructions for a Missionary Tour

Jesus’ promise that His disciples would be fishers of men (Matt.

4:19) was not immediately fulfilled. At first they observed His activ-

ities. While ministering in Galilee “preaching the good news of the

kingdom and healing every disease and sickness,” He saw the crowds

and had compassion on them, “because they were harassed and help-

less, like sheep without a shepherd”

(Matt. 9:35, 36, NIV). He com-

mented to His disciples, “ ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are

few’ ” and invited them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out

workers (vs. 37, NIV).

Read

Jesus’words to the Twelve (Matt. 10:1, Matt 10:5–11:1).What prin-

ciples are found in these words that would apply to us today in our

work of seeking to make disciples?

____________________________________________________________________

There is a lot that Christ’s modern-day disciples could learn from

these texts. One thing, however, that should come through clearly is

that witnessing for Christ is not going to be easy. There is going to be

opposition, turmoil, and even, in some cases, persecution. Thus, we

should not be surprised when these things come. What should concern

us is when they do not.

Read

again the texts for today. What kind of opposition, turmoil, and

suffering should we expect? In what ways have you experienced in

your own life some of what Jesus said here almost two thousand

years ago?

____________________________________________________________________

Jesus did not promise His disciples an easy time of it. The history

of the church proves just how accurate His words were.Yet, at the

same time, even amid these warnings, the Lord gives these men

wonderful words of encouragement and hope. Read those words,

those promises, and claim them for yourself. What can you take

from them that you need in particular for yourself right now?

THURSDAY

February 14

Mission of the Seventy

Luke alone mentions that Jesus appointed seventy disciples, whom

He sent on a missionary tour (Luke 10:1–23; see also Exod. 24:1, 9).

In many ways, His instructions were similar to what He gave to the

Twelve. After instructing them, Jesus sent them two by two to the

towns and places He was about to go. It appears that their mission was

preparatory to Jesus’ own. In a sense, they were to prepare the way for

people to accept Jesus when He came. How does that fit in with what

we are to do today in helping prepare people to meet Jesus?

What

was the advantage of sending them two by two? What can we

take from that for ourselves today?

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 10:17 says the Seventy returned from their mission with joy

because “the devils are subject unto us through thy name.” No doubt,

they must have been thrilled at the power given them through Jesus,

and they acknowledge that it is His power. Jesus, though, while

acknowledging the power given them, tells them to rejoice about the

thing that really matters.

Read

Luke 10:20. Why did Jesus say this? What message is there for

us in these words, as well?

____________________________________________________________________

Doing great deeds in the name of Jesus is no guarantee of salvation

(Matt. 7:22, 23), as some will one day find out. Spiritual position,

church authority, and even great success at winning souls are not the

things that really matter. What really matters is having our names writ-

ten in heaven, names that are not blotted out

(Rev. 3:5), because a

name written in hea

en means eter

nal life through Jesus.

We can be so busy working for others that we neglect our own

spiritual life and health.

w can y

ou avoid falling into that

subtle trap? At the same time, how does working for the salva-

tion of others strengthen your own walk with Jesus?

FRIDAY

February 15

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5,

pp. 322–326, 746–750; Ellen G. White, “The Sermon on the Mount,”

pp. 312–314; “The First Evangelists,” pp. 349–358, in The Desire of

Ages; “The Teacher Sent from God,” pp. 79, 80, in Education; Mark

6:6–13.

“In that brief verse [Matthew 5:1] there are three clues to the real

significance of the Sermon on the Mount. (i) Jesus began to teach

when he had sat down. When a Jewish Rabbi was teaching officially

he sat to teach. . . . So, then, the very intimation that Jesus sat down

to teach his disciples is the indication that this teaching is central and

official. (ii) Matthew goes on to say that when he had opened His

mouth, he taught them. . . . In Greek the phrase has a double signifi-

cance. (a) In Greek it is used of a solemn, grave and dignified utter-

ance. . . . (b) It is used of a person’s utterance when he is really open-

ing his heart and fully pouring out his mind. It is used of intimate

teaching with no barriers between. . . . (iii) . . . Now the point is that

in the Greek of this sentence, which we are studying, the verb taught

is not an aorist [tense], but an imperfect and therefore it describes

repeated and habitual action, and the translation should be: ‘This is

what he used to teach them.’ Matthew has said as plainly as Greek will

say it that the Sermon on the Mount is not one sermon of Jesus, given

at one particular time and on one particular occasion; it is the essence

of all that Jesus continuously and habitually taught his disciples.”

—William Barclay,

The Gospel of Matthew (Philadelphia: The

Westminster Press, 1975), vol. 1, pp. 86, 87.

Discussion Questions:

● What kind of discipleship program does your own local

church have? What are its strong points? Its weak points? What

practical steps can your church make to be stronger in the area

of discipleship?

● When a person joins your local church, what can you do, per-

sonally, to help disciple that person along? What specific gifts

might you have that can be of help? Also, what about your

Sabbath School class itself? What role can and should it have in

the discipling process?

● Discipling takes disciples, those who know what it means to

follow Jesus, to learn from Jesus, to be an imitator of Jesus. What

did you lear

n this w

eek from the texts we looked at that, if

applied in your life, could make you better prepared to disciple

new members?

tor

INSIDE

Hope Meets Hopelessness:

Part 1

by CHARLOTTE ISHKANIAN

S. S. and Geetha Karikalan lived a comfortable life. They bought rice

from farmers and sold it to retailers. Then the government cut out the middle-

men in order to regulate the rice industry, and suddenly the Karikalans were

out of work.

The family was desperate and talked about committing suicide. One day

two Adventist women noticed the sad-looking couple getting off the city bus

and asked if something was wrong. One of the women, Sahira, offered to

pray for the couple there beside the road. Although S. S. and Geetha were of

another religion, they accepted the prayers of these devout women. Sahira

prayed that God would help them find work and that they would also find

peace and hope in their lives.

After Sahira prayed, the couple admitted that they had thought about sui-

cide, but because of her prayer, they felt peace. Sahira had to hurry to an

appointment, but she asked permission to visit S. S. and Geetha. The couple

gave her the address of Geetha’s parents, where they were staying. Sahira

invited the couple to visit their church that Sabbath and promised that they

would find that Jesus could meet their needs. She gave them the address.

The couple attended the church that week. Sahira welcomed them warmly

and gave them a Bible. The next day she visited them. The couple agreed to

Bible studies, and Sahira and the pastor studied with them for several weeks.

The couple’s 13-year-old son, Santosh, joined them for the studies.

One day the pastor needed medicine for his asthma from Santosh’s grand-

father. Santosh and his grandfather walked to the pastor’s apartment to

deliver the medicine. While Grandfather talked with the pastor, Santosh

went to the roof on the third floor of the apartment building to play cricket

with the pastor’s children.

During the game Santosh

stepped back and stretched

to catch the ball. Suddenly

he lost his balance and fell

backward off the roof.

“Lord, save me!” he cried

as he tumbled toward some

high voltage wires.

Continued next week

The Karikalan family (left).

Charlotte Ishkanian is editor of

Mission and “Inside Stories.”

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*February 16–22

Experiencing

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This W

eek’

s Study:

Matt. 17:1–13; 18:1–4,

24; Mark 8:27–30; John 6:43–58.

Memor

y Text:

“And when he had called the people unto him

with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come

after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow

me”

(Mark 8:34).

ll through the Gospels, all through the stories of Jesus as

recorded there, we can find material that will help us under-

stand what it means to be a disciple.

As we read, one point should come through again and again:

Discipleship is an experience. To be a true follower of Christ, we need

to have an experience with Jesus. We need to know Jesus; we need to

have been changed by Jesus; we need to partake of Jesus and what He

offers us.

Head knowledge is not enough; being able to recite Bible texts is

not enough; knowing doctrines is not enough. To be a disciple of

Christ, you must have had a personal experience with Him, one that

has changed and is still changing your life.

This week’s lesson will help us better understand what some of

these experiences must entail.

The Week at a Glance:

What does it mean to eat the f

lesh

and drink the blood of Christ? What lessons about faith can we

learn from the Transfiguration? Why does Jesus tell us we must

become as little children? What does it mean to bear our cross for

Jesus?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 23.

SUNDAY

February 17

The Bread of Life

Read

John 6:43–58. What important spiritual lesson is Jesus giving

here? Why is what Jesus says here so important for all would-be

disciples? Why are the truths here so important for those who seek

to disciple others?

____________________________________________________________________

It is no coincidence that Jesus expressed these words not long after

the miracle of feeding the five thousand

(John 6:1–14). The response

of the people, however, showed that their hearts were still set on

worldly things, that they saw Jesus as a worldly king, one who could

meet their temporal needs. That is not why Jesus came; that was not

His primary purpose.

What

did the texts for today tell us the purpose of Jesus’ coming was?

See also Matt. 13:46, Phil. 3:8.

____________________________________________________________________

2. What does this story tell us about the importance of the motives of

our actions?

____________________________________________________________________

3. The texts say that Lazarus, the resurrected Lazarus, was at the table

with them. Why does that fact make Judas’s actions even more repug-

nant, more indicative of how blinded he was by his own sin?

____________________________________________________________________

It is with good reason that Paul made the famous statement he did

in 1 Timothy 6:10. Judas eventually lost his soul over his love of

money. From the start, it seems, he was looking out only for number

one; he himself, and the desire to gain things for himself, was woven

all through his o

wn discipleship. Of course, the other disciples w

ere

not totally selfless either, but with Judas it got the best of him.

How can you be sure that greedy motives are not poisoning your

role as a disciple of Christ? More so, if you detect some impure

motives, how can you be purged of them?

TUESDAY

March 4

The Thunder Model

There were at least two pairs of brothers among Jesus’ twelve disci-

ples. At their call, Jesus surnamed the pair of James and John

boanerges, or “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). Some commentators

believe that Jesus gave them this name because of their vehement tem-

peraments and fiery tempers. Therefore, we have chosen to call their

approach to discipleship the thunder model.

Read

Luke 9:51–56. Look at the reaction of the disciples to the rejec-

tion of Jesus. As you read this, try to put yourself in the place of

these disciples. What reasons would they have for reacting as they

did? In other words, what things did they hear Jesus say, or what

other Old Testament examples might they have drawn from, that

could have caused them to react as they did? See, for example,

Genesis 6, 7, Matt. 8:12, 13:42, Mark 6:11.

____________________________________________________________________

A number of problems exist with the reaction of the disciples.

There is zeal for the Lord, which is good, which all disciples should

have. But misdirected zeal, even in a good cause, can produce more

harm than good. For instance, James and John used the story of Elijah

as their model. The only problem is that they misused it. Elijah

brought fire down from heaven to consume sacrifices

(1 Kings 18),

not recalcitrant people (he had them slain another way).

Even worse, of course, was their harsh and judgmental attitude

toward sinners. The work of every disciple of Christ should be that of

seeking ways to bring sinners to the foot of the Cross, to show them

the incredible mercy and grace of God, who in Himself bore the pun-

ishment of their sins. Thus, no matter how sinful their lives have been,

through Jesus they can have full pardon, full forgiveness, and a new

life in Him. That is our work as disciples; we can leave the judging to

the Lord.

How judgmental are you toward those whom you deem way-

ward and wr

ong? Ho

w do we show these people the grace and

mercy of God, while at the same time not giving the impression

that we condone or approve of their lives and/or beliefs?

WEDNESDAY

March 5

The Repentant-Peter Model

Peter is known as that impetuous disciple who always had some-

thing to say on everything. Luke 22:33, 34 says he was so sure of him-

self and his discipleship that he promised to go with Jesus even to

prison and death. Of course, not long after, he had to retract those

words (Matt. 26:69–75).

Read

John 18:1–11. What does this tell us about the personality and

character of Peter, especially in light of Matthew 26:69–75?

We all know about Peter’s failure. It exists as a powerful lesson to

all disciples of Christ. We cannot work for the Lord in our own power.

How crucial it is that we day by day surrender ourselves to Jesus. He

is the Vine, we are the branches; without Him we can do nothing,

especially not be faithful disciples. Again, zeal for the Lord and His

cause is wonderful, but it must be done under the Lordship of Jesus

Christ.

Read

John 21:15–19. What does this teach us about what Jesus can

do for those of His disciples who, repenting of their mistakes, do

not give up on Christ?

“Here is given a lesson for all Christ’s followers. The gospel makes

no compromise with evil. It cannot excuse sin. Secret sins are to be

confessed in secret to God; but, for open sin, open confession is

required. . . . By giving proof of repentance, the disciple, so far as lies

in His power, is to remove this reproach. . . . Three times Peter had

openly denied his Lord, and three times Jesus drew from him the

assurance of his love and loyalty, pressing home that pointed question,

like a barbed arrow to his wounded heart. Before the assembled disci-

ples Jesus revealed the depth of Peter’s repentance, and showed how

thoroughly humbled was the once boasting disciple.”—Ellen G.

White,

The Desire of Ages, pp. 811, 812.

Notice what Jesus said to Peter in John 21:18, 19. Jesus, basically,

was telling Peter that in the end, Peter would end up dying for the Lord

he so fervently loved. Peter’s words, in the end, came true, but only

after he had learned some hard lessons about discipleship.

Have you made boastful promises, only to fail time and again,

from fulfilling them? What can you take away from the story of

Peter that can help you not to give up?

THURSDAY

March 6

The Flight Model

“Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled” (Matt. 26:56).

The disciples spent three and a half years with Jesus. They had privi-

leges that very few in the world ever had. They saw things few humans

ever did. After all, among the world’s billions, how many ever saw

Jesus in the flesh? More so, how many ever interacted day after day

with Him while He was here in the flesh? These disciples were among

the most privileged humans ever to have lived.

Of course, that was part of the problem—they were humans, fallen

humans, and thus, no matter what the Lord did for them, the lessons

were not easily learned.

Skim

through a Gospel, any Gospel. What were the amazing things

that Jesus said and did in the sight of His disciples? How much

incredible proof did He give them concerning who He was? After

going over those incidents, look at the text for today. What fearful

message, even warning, can we draw from this for ourselves?

____________________________________________________________________

Knowing He would be leaving them, Jesus prepared the disciples

for His departure, but they did not listen. Knowing what would hap-

pen in Jerusalem, He prepared them for His passion, but they did not

listen. They arrived in Jerusalem totally unprepared.

During Jesus’ ministry, the disciples seemed to look at what He did

rather than to listen to what He said. His deeds confirmed their

Messianic hopes, and that pleased them very much. At the

Transfiguration the heavenly Voice called them to listen to Jesus, yet

they did not benefit from His instructions about the Passion.

Following the Passover meal, Jesus tried to show His followers what

lay ahead, but they would not listen. In the Garden, He tried to get

them to pray to gain strength, but they slept.

Meditate on all that Jesus has done for you: the promises, the

hope, the gifts given you, the changes made in your life, the evi-

dences for your faith,

all through Christ. How can we, by cling-

ing to these things, avoid the mistakes of the disciples?

FRIDAY

March 7

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 208–

211, 465, 466, 524–529, 595–597, 635, 636, 775, 776, 962, 963, 2020,

2021; Ellen G. White, “Give Ye Them to Eat,” pp. 364–380; “Who Is the

Greatest?” pp. 437–438; “The Law of the New Kingdom,” pp. 547–551;

“A Feast at Simon’s House,” pp. 559–565; “By the Sea Once More,”

pp. 809–817, in The Desire of Ages; “John the Beloved,” pp. 539–543, in

The Acts of the Apostles.

“The love of money in the heart of Judas was growing with the exer-

cise of his shrewd abilities. His practical financiering ability, if exer-

cised and enlightened and moulded by the Holy Spirit, would have

been of great service to the little church, and by the sanctification of

his spirit he would have had a clear insight, a correct discernment to

appreciate heavenly things. But worldly policy plans were constantly

cherished by Judas. There was no outbreaking sin on his part, but his

sharp scheming, the selfish, parsimonious spirit that took possession

of him, finally led him to sell his Lord for a small sum of money.”

—Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1101.

“Judas was with Christ through the entire period of the Saviour’s

public ministry. He had all that Christ could give him. . . . Had he

sought to be a blessing, instead of a questioning, criticizing, selfish

man, the Lord would have used him to advance His kingdom. But

Judas was a speculator. He thought that he could manage the finances

of the church, and by his sharpness in business get gain. He was

divided in heart. He loved the praise of the world. He refused to give

up the world for Christ. He never committed his eternal interests to

Christ. . . . Judas was a religious fraud.”—Ellen G. White,

The SDA

Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 1101, 1102.

Discussion Questions:

● If disciples are followers, are those who follow their own ideas

and programs still disciples? Dwell on that question and your

answer.

● What other models of discipleship under pressure can you

think of, and what lessons can we learn from them?

● While we can find in Peter someone who jumped ahead too

fast, only to stumble and fall, what are the dangers of being too

cautious? In what ways can we go too far the other way? Think

about this and bring some thoughts to class. As you do, think

about your local church as a whole. Is your church too ready to

jump ahead of the Lord, or does it tend to be too timid to follow

the leading of the Lor

What can y

ou do, as a class, to help your

church strike the right balance?

tor

INSIDE

Death in the Night

by JAMES APPEL

A cool east wind chilled my tired body. Sarah and I prayed then crawled

into bed to sleep. The chirping of thousands of African insects lulled me to

sleep.

A soft tap, tapping on the door pulled me awake. “Doctor?” David’s voice

stirred my consciousness.

“Yes,” I replied groggily.

“One of the patients has died. The family has arrived with their ox cart to

take the body to their village for burial. But I can’t open the combination lock

on the gate.”

I became aware of the wails and shrieks of mourning as I pulled aside the

mosquito net and grabbed my flashlight.

“I’m coming,” I mumbled as I searched for my clothes. I pushed open the

metal door, slipped on my flip flops, and followed David toward the hospital.

“Aaaahh! Ohhh, ohhh, ohhh! Aye yi yi yi yi yi yi!” The nightmarish

sounds wafted across the campus as we approached the gate. I dialed the

combination and tugged the lock open. David opened the gate, and two shad-

owy forms slipped silently past us. Outside a group of women, one with a

baby strapped to her back, danced the dance of death, their arms flailing the

air. Others sat in a tight bunch accompanying the dancers with chants, wails,

and moans of death. A man beat his breast as an agonizing yell tore from his

throat. Dogs barked at the nighttime disturbance.

Anger, pity, and sorrow welled up within me. These same people had let

their relative lie sick for a week before bringing him to the hospital. They

couldn’t afford to pay $20 for his treatment; yet now they will spend hun-

dreds of dollars to feed relatives and friends who will come for his funeral.

People will gather and “weep” to prove their sorrow and to be sure that his

spirit doesn’t come back to haunt them.

I am sick of the fear of death, the spirits, and the hauntings that these peo-

ple endure. It breaks my heart to see the ignorance that holds them captive. I

know the One who has promised to “free those who all their lives were held

in slavery by their fear of death”

(Heb. 2:15).

But fighting against so much superstition and fear and tradition seems so

overwhelming.

The two men reappear pulling the ox cart past us. We replace the lock, then

I walk back home as the sounds of the funeral procession fade into the dark

African night.

“Lord Jesus,” I pra

y, “what can I do to show them Your way? How can I

teach them to trust You with their lives—and their death?”

JAMES APPEL is a missionary doctor serving Béré, Chad.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*March 8–14

More Lessons in

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This W

eek’s Study:

Matt. 14:22–33; Mark

4:36–41; 6:51, 52; Luke 8:25; 24:37; John 6:19.

Memory Text:

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,

‘Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid’ ” (Matthew 14:27).

esus selected His disciples so that they could be with Him and

could learn from Him. Apparently, they were not as sharp and

quick-witted as one would expect. How much different are we?

Some of us have been walking with God for several years, and we still

do not understand fully what the demands of discipleship are. As in

the natural world, so it is in the spiritual. Growth is essential for life.

Every day should bring some growth in depth, width, or height. What

preparation of soil and nutrients are you making to assure growth and

success in discipleship?

This week’s lesson will look at more examples from the Word of

God that can help us understand what it means to be a disciple of

Christ.

The Week at a Glance:

Why were the disciples of Christ

often full of fear? What can we learn from Jesus’ warnings about

the leaven of the Pharisees? How do we respond to those who pur-

posely close their hearts to our witness?

*Study this week’s lesson to pr

epare for Sabbath, March 15.

SUNDAY

March 9

Lessons at Sea

By the time of the events in Mark 4, the disciples had already been

with Jesus for a while. How much they must have learned at the foot

of the Master.

Read

Mark 4:36–41. What is so revealing about their words to Him

in verse 38? How often do we find ourselves having a similar

response in frightful times?

____________________________________________________________________

It is so easy for us to do the same thing, to wonder, when tragedy

and problems strike, if God cares at all. The irony, of course, is that

Jesus was right there the whole time. He was the One who first told

them to take the boat across to begin with. This storm did not take

Him by surprise, and neither do our trials.

What

significance (if any) can be found in the fact that the disciples,

not the storm, woke Jesus?

____________________________________________________________________

Notice the element of fear in the disciples all through the account.

They feared the storm; and then, after the storm was calmed, they

seemed to fear Jesus. The manifestation of such power was impres-

sive, of course, but one would have thought by now that, after their

time with Christ, they would have known that they had nothing to fear

from Him. On the contrary, this power should have been a source of

great hope and comfort to them, because by now they should have

known the character of the One who possessed all that power. This

account shows that these men still had a lot to learn about what it

means to be a disciple of Christ.

When was the last time y

ou w

onder

ed if the Lord cared about

you and your situation, whatever it was? What lessons did you

learn from that trial that you could use next time you face a trial

or tragedy?

MONDAY

March 10

Lessons at Sea (Continued)

If you think about it, the sea is a good place to learn lessons about

discipleship. After all, though as humans we are totally dependent

upon God for everything

(see Job 12:10, Dan. 5:23, Acts 17:28), it is

not so easy to forget it when you are out on the water, where what is

beneath your feet will not hold you up but will swallow you instead.

Perhaps that is why the Lord chose to use the sea to teach His disci-

ples a few more lessons about faith, the key element for any success-

ful discipleship.

Following a successful missionary tour

(Mark 6:6–13), the feeding

of the five thousand, and their first encounter on the lake, the disciples

finally should have been catching on. The evening after the feeding of

the five thousand, another storm overtook them on the lake, this time

without Jesus in the boat with them.

Read

Matthew 14:22, 33 and Mark 6:45–52. What are the numerous

mistakes the disciples made in these two accounts?

____________________________________________________________________

Though one account omits the story of Peter walking on the water,

one point both make is that those who witnessed what happened were

duly impressed. Some openly called Jesus the Son of God; in Mark’s

account, they were amazed beyond measure about what they had

experienced. It was one thing to be able to get the weather to obey

Him, but to have the power to walk on water, especially during a

storm? Truly they had been witnesses to the power of God in ways that

few people have ever seen.

Read Mark 6:51, 52. What point do you think Mark was mak-

ing about faith and belief? What lessons might there be for us in

that point?

_____________________________________________________

TUESDAY

March 11

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Read

Matthew 16:1–12 and then answer the following questions:

1. What evidence do we have that the leaders who came to Jesus were

not sincere in their question? After all, what is wrong with having a

sign from heaven? Is the Bible not full of signs from heaven? What

point should we as disciples take from what is happening here? See

earlier chapters in Matthew; see also Luke 16:29–31.

____________________________________________________________________

2. Look carefully at Jesus’ words to the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

What is the principle behind the specific warning to them (Matt.

23:23)?

____________________________________________________________________

3. Read Jesus’ words to the disciples in Matthew 16:8–11. What point

is Jesus making to them? Why do we find it so easy to do the same

thing; that is, to forget the great things God has done before our eyes?

____________________________________________________________________

What a contrast between the Bread of Life and the leaven of the

Sadducees and the Pharisees, and yet how easy to get them confused.

All disciples of Christ need to be aware that belief or following tradi-

tions or

defending the faith are not always the same as being a disci-

ple of Christ. How easy, once we get established, even comfortable, in

what we believe, or in how we worship, or in how we practice our

faith, to let these things become ends in and of themselves, instead of

a means to an end. That end, of course, is to be a faithful disciple of

Christ, doing His will and revealing His love and His character to the

world.

WEDNESDAY

March 12

Lessons From Fear

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear”

(1 John 4:18).

Perhaps you have noticed something through the course of this

study, and that is how often the disciples were afraid. All through the

Gospels, we find time and again the disciples in various situations,

and time and again the Bible records them as being afraid.

What

was it in these various situations that caused them to fear?

Matt. 14:27; 17:6, 7; Mark 10:32; Luke 8:25; 24:37; John 6:19.

What can we learn from their experiences?

____________________________________________________________________

Read

Mark 9:30–32. What made them fearful here? What important

point can we take away from this example?

____________________________________________________________________

What is so sad about this case is that they were fearing the one thing

that offered them the greatest hope they could possibly have: salvation

through the atoning death of Jesus on their behalf. They feared what

they did not understand; they feared what they did not want to hear.

Had they understood what the Cross was all about, they would not

have feared. Hence, it was their ignorance that kept them fearful.

As disciples, as followers of Christ, we should, of all people, have

the least to fear. The same Jesus who could walk on water during a

storm, who could bring healing to a paralytic, who could feed five

thousand with just a few loaves of bread, is the same Jesus who

revealed His love to us by dying on the cross as our Substitute. Sure,

sin is real, the devil is real, hell will be real, and we need to be aware

of the dangers to our souls

(Matt. 10:28), but in the end, as disciples,

as long as we cling to the reality of God’s love as revealed in Christ,

we should learn to live within the hope and comfort of God’s amazing

love for, and grace to

ard

, us.

THURSDAY

March 13

Discipleship and Witness

“I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that

some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are reli-

gious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally,

hope that I’m right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God! I don’t

want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that.”

—Thomas Nagel,

The Last Word (New York: Oxford University Press,

1997), p. 130.

Look

at the above quote. As disciples, what is to be our attitude toward

someone like that? Which Bible texts come to mind as you think

about this person? Write out the texts.

____________________________________________________________________

Now

that you have written down the texts, take the time to go over

them. Does a particular theme come through? Are your texts those

of compassion, judgment, sorrow, or retribution? Or something

else? What does your answer tell you about yourself?

____________________________________________________________________

An inseparable part of what it means to be a disciple is, of course,

witnessing. All through the Gospels, we see Jesus preparing His dis-

ciples to lead others to salvation. Some folk believed quite readily;

others seemed determined to reject Jesus no matter what.

No question, as disciples of Christ, as we witness, we will come

across all types, including those who, perhaps not as honestly as the

man quoted above, will nevertheless reflect the same kind of attitude.

How do we respond to these people? Anger? Love? A feeling of per-

sonal failure? All or none of the above?

What can we learn from the life and teachings of Jesus that will help

us, as disciples of Jesus, to deal with those who are determined to

close their hearts and minds? At what point, if ever, does our respon-

sibility toward them end?

FRIDAY

March 14

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 415–

417, 426–441, 746–750; Ellen G. White, “Peace be Still,” pp. 333–341;

“A Night on the Lake,” pp. 377–382; “The Foreshadowing of the Cross,”

pp. 410–418; “He Was Transfigured,” pp. 419–425; “The Walk to

Emmaus,” pp. 795–801, in The Desire of Ages; “The Sower Went Forth

to Sow,” p. 40, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “Light Through Darkness,”

pp. 349–350, in The Great Controversy.

“Although Peter had been long with the Master, he had a very

imperfect conception of the plan of salvation. He did not desire to see

the cross in the work of Christ; but it was through the cross that life

and hope were to come to dying men.”—Ellen G. White, Review and

Herald, April 7, 1891.

“God’s children are not to be subject to feelings and emotions.

When they fluctuate between hope and fear, the heart of Christ is hurt;

for He has given them unmistakable evidence of His love. He wants

them to be established, strengthened, and settled in the most holy faith.

He wants them to do the work He has given them; then their hearts

will become in His hands as sacred harps, every chord of which will

send forth praise and thanksgiving to the One sent by God to take

away the sins of the world.”—Ellen G. White,

Testimonies to

Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 518, 519.

Discussion Questions:

● What are some of the things that you fear? How can you learn

to overcome those fears? On the other hand, are there things that

we should rightly fear? Be prepared to discuss your answers in

class on Sabbath.

● What are ways we can become modern-day Sadducees and

Pharisees? Why is that easier than we think? How are these atti-

tudes manifested in the church today? Also, what are the steps

that one takes in going from being a disciple to being a Pharisee?

Are they easier than going from being a Pharisee to a disciple?

Be prepared to discuss your thoughts in class.

● What would you classify as the leaven of the Sadducees and

Pharisees in the church today?

● As a class, talk about the attitude of the man expressed in

Thursday’s lesson. In what ways are the principles of the attitude

manifested in us,

en as Christians? Are there things about our

faith or doctrines that we shut our minds to because we simply

do not want to believe them? Could it be that we have a hard time

learning the lessons the Lord wants to teach us because we do not

want to learn them?

tor

INSIDE

More Than Adventure

by PATRICIA GONZÁLEZ

Ruben González of Argentina loves adventure. He loves sharing his

faith even more. On a bus, in the market, wherever he goes he talks to peo-

ple about Jesus. He led the members of one Protestant church, including

their pastor, into the Adventist faith.

Four years ago Ruben heard a mission report in Sabbath School that

spoke of the struggles Adventists in Spain face in leading people to Christ.

When his nephew in Spain offered him work, Ruben decided to go to

Spain. He was 59.

The family borrowed money to buy his airline ticket, and with $33 in his

pocket, he left on his mission adventure to Spain. He spent his last pesos

on a visa and a taxi to take him to his nephew’s home. But when he arrived,

he learned that his nephew’s shop had closed down the day before.

Ruben had no money and no place to stay. He found a cheap hostel and

left his passport and clothes as guarantee of payment. Then he went look-

ing for work. Praying as he went, he knocked at shops and houses offer-

ing to cook, cut grass, paint, build—whatever people needed. But nothing

opened up for him. Then Sabbath came.

Ruben worshiped in the hostel on Sabbath. Then in the afternoon he

went to visit Don Salvador, a man he had met earlier that week. Not many

people liked Don Salvador, but Ruben and Salvador became friends.

When Don Salvador realized that Ruben was hungry, he offered him food.

The next morning Don Salvador paid Ruben’s bill at the hostel and invited

him home.

“For lunch?” Ruben asked.

“No, come and live in my house.” Ruben gladly accepted.

Don Salvador introduced Ruben to a man who offered Ruben a job. He

found an Adventist church and started worshiping with them. The church

was large but had only a handful of members. “There are many empty

chairs here,” Ruben told the members. “We must invite more people to

come.” He worked with the church members and shared his zeal for evan-

gelism. His enthusiasm sparked the members to invite others to worship,

and the church grew to 128 members.

Ruben began preaching and sharing his testimony in churches through-

out Spain. His desire to see the church there grow has had an impact on

the work. The adventurer found more than adventure in Spain, and the

kingdom of God has grown because of his work.

Our mission of

ferings suppor

t many forms of evangelism around the

world.

PATRICIA GONZÁLEZ is Ruben González’s daughter. She lives in Argentina.

Produced by the General Conf

erence Office of Ad

ventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

L ESSON

*March 15–21

Mission and

Commission

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This Week’s Study:

Matt. 25:31–46; Mark

16:14–20; Luke 24:36–53; John 3:14–19; Rom. 5:6–10; 1 Cor. 5:7;

15:3, 4; Gal. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:22–25.

Memory Text:

“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus

it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third

day” (Luke 24:46).

s Adventists, we understand much of our role in the Great

Commission to be linked to the three angels’ messages of

Revelation 14. At the center of these messages is the

everlasting

gospel.

We have nothing to give to the world unless we give them, above

anything and everything else, the great truth of justification by faith alone.

“Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification

by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third

angel’s message in verity.’’’—Ellen G. White,

Review and Herald, April 1,

1890. Thus, for Ellen G. White, central to our mission is the procla-

mation of justification by faith alone, the great news that salvation

comes only through the grace of God poured out upon undeserving sin-

ners and not through any works on our part.

This week we will look at the gospel in the context of the Great

Commission.

The Week at a Glance:

What r

ole do w

ks of charity

have in the life of those who are disciples? What role did Jesus give

to the Scriptures in explaining His life and death? How central is

the gospel in the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His church?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 22.

SUNDAY

March 16

End-Time Drama and Discipleship

Read

Matthew 25:31–46. This passage is part of Jesus’ Olivet dis-

course given during His final week of Judean ministry. It is part

of the last words of His final pre-Passion discussion.

How

are we to understand these words in Matthew 25:31–46, espe-

cially in the area of discipleship and witness?

____________________________________________________________________

This passage conveys a truth about the mission of disciples. Jesus

clearly indicates that part of the work of disciples involves mission to

the poor, the sick and suffering, the imprisoned; thus, to all the needy.

The ultimate manifestation of discipleship is revealed in how we treat

those around us who are in need.

“Thus Christ on the Mount of Olives pictured to His disciples the

scene of the great judgment day. And He represented its decision as

turning upon one point. When the nations are gathered before Him,

there will be but two classes, and their eternal destiny will be deter-

mined by what they have done or have neglected to do for Him in the

person of the poor and the suffering. In that day Christ does not pres-

ent before men the great work He has done for them in giving His life

for their redemption. He presents the faithful work they have done for

Him.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 637.

The Bible does make it clear, in numerous places, that salvation

is not earned by our works but comes solely by God’s grace.

How, then, are we to understand what Jesus is saying? As you

seek to answer this question, keep in mind the idea of who a true

disciple is: someone who has surrendered himself/herself totally

and completely to Jesus, claiming for themselves “the great

work He [Jesus] has done for them in giving His life for their

redemption.” How does keeping this important truth before us

help us better understand what Jesus is saying? After all, who of

us could feed enough poor

, or clothe enough naked, to earn

redemption?

MONDAY

March 17

The Commissioning in Mark

In an earlier lesson, we looked at the Great Commission as presented

in Matthew 28:18–20. Read those texts again; review the highlights,

particularly the commands and the promises. Ask yourself, when

done: “What role am I playing in the fulfillment of these words?”

Read

Mark 16:14–20 and compare it with Matthew 28:18–20. What

elements are found in one and not the other?

____________________________________________________________________

After you have noted the differences, read both accounts again.

There is an unmistakable harmony between them. The basic message

is the same.

What

is Jesus’ message to us, as found in both these accounts?

____________________________________________________________________

In both accounts we are told that there was some doubt (Matt.

28:17), some hardness of heart, on the part of the disciples. In Mark’s

account, Jesus upbraided them for this doubt, even though the Greek

verb there can be translated into stronger language, such as

“reproached,” “denounced,” or even “insulted.” The point was that

even after all this time, even after all these things, some among them

still struggled with faith. Jesus had to deal firmly with them.

Notice, too, that only after Jesus dealt with their hardness of heart

did He give them their commission. Jesus knew that for them to suc-

ceed they needed to be strong in faith. His physical presence would

soon be gone from them, for He was to be “received up into heaven”

(Mark 16:19). Anything they were to do for Him from then on would

have to be done by faith alone.

Though faith is a gift, it is a gift that needs to be cultivated. What

things can you do on a daily basis to nurture, protect, and strengthen

your faith?

TUESDAY

March 18

Discipleship and the Gospel

Let us look at something else in Mark’s account of the Great

Commission. In Mark 16:15, 16, Jesus says, “Go ye into all the world,

and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is bap-

tized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Thus,

we see that at the foundation of the commission is the call to preach

the gospel.

With

that in mind, read Revelation 14:6. How do these verses help us

understand what our work is, not just as disciples but as Seventh-

day Adventist disciples?

____________________________________________________________________

With the work of preaching the gospel so central to discipleship and

with the making of disciples, how crucial that we understand what the

gospel message really is. Jesus, however, right there in those verses in

Mark, pretty much gives us the gospel. Believe it, and you shall be

saved; reject it, and you shall be lost.

Compare

what Jesus said in Mark with John 3:14–19. How does

what John writes help us to understand what Jesus is saying in

Mark?

____________________________________________________________________

How crucial that as disciples we be rooted firmly in the gospel that

we are called to preach. Because of sin, the world stood condemned;

Jesus bore that condemnation, fully and completely, in Himself.

Through this wonderful provision, anyone who believes in Him no

longer has to face the condemnation that came through sin; instead,

thanks to God’s unfathomable grace, that person—regardless of how

sinful his or her past has been—is pardoned, forgiven, and clothed in

the righteousness of Jesus. This message must be at the foundation of

all that we preach and teach to the w

orld.

100

WEDNESDAY

March 19

The Commissioning in Luke

Read

Luke 24:36–53, another account of Jesus appearing to His dis-

ciples and giving them the call to preach to the world.

In this account, as the disciples gathered, the two disciples who

met the risen Lord on the road to Emmaus joined them and shared

their encounter. During their discussion, Jesus joined them.

Read

this account. What were the first two things that Jesus did to

help increase the faith of the disciples?

____________________________________________________________________

Notice, however, that Jesus did not stop with just giving them physi-

cal evidence, evidence that they could see and feel. No, that was only

part of it. He then took them into the Scriptures, showing them from

the Word of God that what had happened to Him had been predicted.

What

lesson should Christ’s use of the Scriptures here teach us?

____________________________________________________________________

We see an important principle here: Sure, experiences, physical

manifestations, and miracles all have their role and can have a major

part in giving people what they need in order to have faith in Jesus. At

the same time, however, Scripture must be the foundation of all our

faith. Despite the miracles, Jesus affirmed their faith, using the

Scriptures to do it. He used the Scriptures to confirm all that had hap-

pened to Him and buttress all that He had said to them.

If Jesus

Himself used the Scriptures to justify all that He did, how much more

so should we?

Christ’s words and actions here are a stinging, powerful rebuke

against any and all attempts to weaken the crucial and foundational

role of the Bible in the life of the church and in our work as disciples.

There are so many forces, even within the church, that work to

weaken our trust in the Bible. What are some of these forces,

and how can we protect ourselves from anything that calls into

question the authority of the Scriptures?

101

THURSDAY

March 20

“Witnesses of These Things”

Yesterday, in looking at the Great Commission as presented in Luke,

we saw the primacy that Jesus gave to the Scriptures, that He used

them to justify all that had happened. He also used the Scriptures to

give the disciples their commission to the world.

According

to Jesus, what was the message of the Scriptures that

the disciples were to take to the world? See Luke 24:45–48. How

does this fit in with what we looked at in Tuesday’s lesson? How

does this fit in with our understanding of the three angels’ mes-

sages of Revelation 14?

____________________________________________________________________

Here again, central to the whole call to make disciples is the death

and resurrection of Jesus, all for the

remission of sins. Jesus Himself

points not just to the events that surrounded His life and death but to

the meaning of those events. This is what Jesus told them to preach to

the world. What would make their testimony so powerful, too, was that

He said to them, “ye are witnesses of these things”

(Luke 24:48); that

is, the things surrounding His death and resurrection.

How

do the following texts help us to understand the meaning of

Christ’s death and resurrection? Rom. 5:6–10; 1 Cor. 5:7; 15:3, 4;

Gal. 1:4; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:22–25.

____________________________________________________________________

The disciples apparently were powerful witnesses, too. What began

in Jerusalem as primarily a Jewish affair became a worldwide move-

ment within 50 years. Acts 1–7 show the growth in Jerusalem and

Judea; chapters 8–12 show how persecution and other influences took

the movement beyond to Samaria, Ethiopia, Syria, and other Gentile

territories. Acts 13–28 show how Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor turned

Christian, took it in ever-widening circles until it reached Rome.

102

FRIDAY

March 21

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 553–

560, 658–660, 881–887, 1110; Ellen G. White, “The Lord Is Risen,”

pp. 779–787; “Why Weepest Thou?” pp. 788–794; “The Walk to

Emmaus,” pp. 795–801; “Peace Be Unto You,” pp. 802–808; “By the Sea

Once More,” pp. 809–817; “Go Teach the Nations,” pp. 818–828, in The

Desire of Ages; “God’s Purpose for His Church,” pp. 9–16; “The Training

of the Twelve,” pp. 17–24; “The Great Commission,” pp. 25–34;

“Pentecost,” pp. 35–46; “The Gift of the Spirit,” pp. 47–56, in The Acts of

the Apostles; Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 21, Acts 1, 2.

“Let the subject be made distinct and plain that it is not possible to

effect anything in our standing before God or in the gift of God to us

through creature merit. Should faith and works purchase the gift of sal-

vation for anyone, then the Creator is under obligation to the creature.

Here is an opportunity for falsehood to be accepted as truth. If any man

can merit salvation by anything he may do, then he is in the same posi-

tion as the Catholic to do penance for his sins. Salvation, then, is partly

of debt, that may be earned as wages. If man cannot, by any of his good

works, merit salvation, then it must be wholly of grace, received by

man as a sinner because he receives and believes in Jesus. It is wholly

a free gift. Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all

this controversy is ended, as soon as the matter is settled that the mer-

its of fallen man in his good works can never procure eternal life for

him.”—Ellen G. White,

Faith and Works, pp. 19, 20.

Discussion Questions:

● How do we understand Mark 16:16? Is Jesus saying that you

have to be baptized to be saved? In what ways does the text itself

supply the answer? What is our understanding, as a church, of

the meaning and importance of baptism?

● Think about your local church and how it fits in with the

worldwide mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as given

to us in the texts for this week. What role does your church have?

What part is it playing? How can you, working through even

your Sabbath School class, help get your church more involved in

the work of spreading the gospel to all nations?

● Why is it so important for us, as disciples, to understand the

gospel before we can be effective witnesses for Jesus? What is your

understanding of the gospel? Write it out in a single paragraph.

Bring it to class and be pr

epar

ed to shar

e it with other

s there.

What insights can you gain from the above Ellen G. White quote?

● What mor

e can your local church do to help the poor and the

needy in your area? What kind of commitment does your church

have to this impor

tant aspect of being a disciple?

tor

INSIDE

103

What Took So Long?

by PRUDENCIO TORRES

My brother, Hipolito, accepted the Adventist faith while living in New

York City some years ago. When he returned to Puerto Rico, he shared his

faith with me and invited me to church. I was still a teenager and was not

sure how my family would feel if I visited another church. I knew they felt

there was only one church—our church.

I visited the Adventist church occasionally and made some friends

there. But for the most part what I learned didn’t change my life. I mar-

ried, and we moved to our own home. Some Adventists lived nearby and

visited us often. We agreed to study the Bible with them, and the next year

my wife accepted Jesus and joined the Adventist Church. But I didn’t. I

attended church with her and returned tithe, but I didn’t take a stand for

God.

Then my mother became terminally ill. My brother and I took the

Adventist pastor to visit her often. We shared Bible promises with her, and

she accepted Jesus as her Lord before she died.

The church we attend divided itself into small groups that meet in mem-

bers’ homes. We opened our home for one small-group meeting and

invited our neighbors. The group grew to 13 members, and we decided to

start a new congregation. My father gave us a piece of land on which to

build a small chapel, and we set to work. Everyone helped when they

could, but my wife and I did most of the work or paid to have it done. The

small group grew and was organized into a company with 25 members.

Finally, after waiting 27 years, I sealed my commitment to Christ and

was baptized. Today our congregation is an organized church with more

than fifty members. My father visits our little church occasionally, and

two other brothers and their families are attending church. One is prepar-

ing for baptism.

What took me so long? I have no excuse. My unwillingness to make a

commitment to Christ cost a lot of years and missed opportunities to share

my faith. But God was patient and gracious to me. He waited for me, and

He has saved me. However, I wonder how my life would have been differ-

ent if I had made my decision years ago when I first knew these wonder-

ful truths.

Mission offerings help raise up new churches in Puerto Rico and around

the world.

PRUDENCIO TORRES lives in Las Piedr

as, Puerto Rico

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

104

L ESSON

*March 22–28

Patterns of

Discipleship

SABBATH AFTERNOON

Read for This W

eek’s Study:

Matt. 14:14; 15:32;

20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 6:12, 13; 16:19–31; 17:4, 5; 18:9–14; Col.

1:14; 1 Tim. 5:16.

Memor

y Text:

“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,

cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give”

(Matthew 10:8).

uring this quarter, we have looked at Jesus, the disciple-

gathering Teacher. We have looked at those He chose to follow

Him, the training He gave, the behavior He modeled, and the

instructions He gave. From Him we have been given all that we need

to be disciples.

This week recaps some of the main highlights of this quarter’s

study. It seeks to ascertain some of the traits, themes, and practices of

Jesus that may have positively influenced the disciples—elements that

must form the foundation of our work as disciples, as well. Ultimately,

the goal is to seek applications that can provide patterns for disciple-

ship in the twenty-first century.

The Week at a Glance:

What role should compassion and

forgiveness have in the life and ministry of disciples? What model

did Jesus give to us regarding how we should treat the marginal-

ized, the outcasts, and those from ethnic backgrounds different

from our own? How important is the church itself in the work of

discipleship? What can w

e lear

n from Jesus about the centrality

of prayer?

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 29.

105

SUNDAY

March 23

Compassion and Forgiveness

When Jesus was here, He displayed compassion, sometimes trans-

lated pity (see Matt. 14:14, 15:32, 20:34, Mark 1:41, 6:34, Luke

7:13).

In Greek, the word most commonly translated “compassion” or

“pity” gives the idea of someone being moved to the very depths of

his or her being. If, in our fallen condition, with our hard, selfish

hearts, we can be moved with pity and compassion for others, how

much more so would the sight of suffering humanity touch the inner-

most being of the sinless Son of God?

Look

up those references listed above. What were the things that

Jesus showed compassion over? Why is such compassion so

important for us as disciples?

____________________________________________________________________

Besides compassion, Jesus showed forgiveness. Time and again the

disciples observed Jesus forgive the sins of so many people. They saw

how He treated Simon, the former leper, who looked down on Mary

(Luke 7:36–50). The disciples saw Jesus’ ultimate act of forgiveness

in His prayer for His enemies while they hung Him on the cross (Luke

23:34). Peter, too, experienced Jesus’forgiveness in a special way. At the

arrest, he forsook Jesus and fled. Later at the trial, three times he denied

knowing Jesus. Yet, Jesus forgave him and restored him to fellowship

in the presence of his fellow disciples

(John 21:9–17).

What

role should forgiveness play in our experience as disciples, and

in our work of making disciples? See Luke 17:3–5, Eph. 1:7, 4:32,

Col. 1:14.

____________________________________________________________________

Our God is a compassionate God, and one result of that compassion

was that He chose to save us from our sins, to forgive what, otherwise,

would have led to our eter

nal loss. How crucial that, as disciples, we

keep before ourselves this compassion and forgiveness; after all, what

better motivation could we have for leading others to, and nurturing

them in, what means so much to us?

106

MONDAY

March 24

The Ostracized and Marginalized

Jesus’ ministry and training of His disciples took place in a highly

stratified society. The lines were clearly drawn between men and

women, religious hierarchy and the common people, rich and poor,

and Pharisees and publicans. The woman’s place was in the home, and

then only certain portions of it.

Read

Luke 16:19–31. What message about class distinctions is pic-

tured here? From this parable, what can we learn about how the

Lord viewed the attitude and actions of the wealthy establishment?

____________________________________________________________________

Read

Luke 18:9–14 and answer the same questions, this time about

how Jesus viewed the actions and attitudes of the religious estab-

lishment.

____________________________________________________________________

Jesus neither followed nor advocated the status quo, because He

obviously saw many of the problems that had arisen in it. Instead, He

openly associated with, taught, and advocated for the marginalized

people in His society. In the Gospels we can see the kind of people

that Jesus worked with and for. Sure, He sought to reach the upper

classes as well, but at the same time He ministered to Gentiles, dis-

reputable women, lepers, publicans, demoniacs, Romans, those with

disabilities, the blind, the poor, a whole host of those considered out-

casts, marginalized in one way or another from society.

Again, considering what He came to the world to do, to die for the

sins of every human being, it makes perfect sense that while He was

here He would minister to everyone who would be ministered to.

What is your attitude toward the marginalized and outcasts in

your society? What is your church’s attitude toward them? How

can you tell if y

ou r

eall

y care or if you are just expressing the

expected platitudes?

107

TUESDAY

March 25

Diversity and Discrimination

Yesterday we saw how Jesus ministered to the downtrodden, the

outcasts of society. Today we want to focus on that a little more but

with the emphasis more on national or ethnic diversity.

Ethnic and national bigotry was very common in the ancient world.

Various groups saw themselves as superior to those around them. The

ancient Greeks, for instance, viewed non-Greeks as

barbarians. All

through ancient literature we find this kind of bigotry. Unfortunately,

Jesus’ contemporaries were not immune to that same kind of thinking,

no matter how exalted their religious profession.

Read

Exodus 12:38; 18:1; Numbers 12:1; Ruth 1:16, 17; and Matthew

23:15. What should these texts tell us about the ethnic diversity

that made up the nation of Israel?

____________________________________________________________________

From its beginning as a nation, Israel was never a pure stock. The

idea of a pure lineage is a more modern conception, an offspring of

evolutionary ideology. God has made all humanity “one blood”

(Acts

17:26); we are all offspring of Adam and Eve, our first parents. And

through faith in Jesus, we all—regardless of color, nationality, eth-

nicity, race, or religion—become the “sons of God”

(John 1:12).

This point cannot be overemphasized: Christ’s death on the cross,

for every human being, should once and for all denude all disciples of

any sense of ethnic or national superiority. More so, it should remove

all sense of bigotry toward any group of people. Before Jesus on the

cross, upon whom all our sin, everyone’s, fell, we all stand equal.

More than anyone else in the world, Christ’s disciples, those who fol-

low Him, should be purged of the kind of prejudices and ethnic ten-

sions that seem to be inbred in every culture and society. In the end,

there are only two classes of people: the saved and the lost. And we

who are saved should be busy going around, as did our Master, seek-

ing to find the lost and pointing them to the only thing that makes us

different from them, the promise of salvation that we have claimed for

ourselves.

To what degree have you been tainted with the prejudices and

bigotries inherent in your own society?

108

WEDNESDAY

March 26

The Church

As we have seen all through this quarter, God calls us as disciples

to do many things: spread the gospel, minister to the outcasts and the

needy, make disciples, and on and on. And this should be happening

in every nation around the world. The question is: How are we sup-

posed to do this?

How

do the following texts help answer the above question? Acts

20:28; 1 Cor. 12:14–22; Eph. 4:11–13; Col. 1:17, 18.

____________________________________________________________________

Jesus was indeed a disciple-gathering teacher. He used every oppor-

tunity to call, train, educate, and nurture disciples. He was never too

busy to help a needy soul. Disciple-training was at the center of His

ministry.

We believe and suggest strongly that just as the tasks of disciple-

making, teaching, training, and nurturing were central to Jesus’ ministry,

even so they must be central to the mission of every church in the

twenty-first century.

Yet, no one can do it alone. That is why there is the church. Nor is that

task limited to pastors, Bible workers, elders, deacons, and other church

officers. It is the task of every member; Jesus’ commission excluded no

disciple. Christ’s words, “Go ye”

(Matt. 28:19), means you.

Some members may feel uncomfortable with this idea because they

lack training. Yet, when Jesus called fishermen for discipleship, they

were untrained. He had to train them. Likewise, every church must

make provisions for the discipling of every member. Each new member

should be placed in a discipleship class for training and nurture.

Advanced classes for seasoned disciples must be instituted, and every

trained disciple should be put to work for the Master.

Before departing, Jesus gave His disciples the mission to “go and

make disciples of all nations”

(Matt. 28:19, NIV). This command has

not changed. This gospel of the kingdom still must be preached in all

the world before the end comes (Matt. 24:14). Unless Jesus were to

make the stones cry out to complete the task, He has no other agents

than His church to do the job.

How involved are you in the work that Jesus has called us all to

do? Or are you too busy doing your own thing? When are you

going to make the changes you know in your heart should have

been made long ago?

109

THURSDAY

March 27

The Prayer Factor

Read

the following quote from Ellen G. White. What principles can

we take away from this for ourselves?

“The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry,

prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in

prayer. . . . The Mount of Olives was the favorite resort of the Son of

God for His devotions. Frequently after the multitude had left Him for

the retirement of the night, He rested not, though weary with the

labors of the day. . . . While the city was hushed in silence, and the dis-

ciples had returned to their homes to obtain refreshment in sleep,

Jesus slept not. His divine pleadings were ascending to His Father

from the Mount of Olives that His disciples might be kept from the

evil influences which they would daily encounter in the world, and

that His own soul might be strengthened and braced for the duties and

trials of the coming day. All night, while His followers were sleeping,

was their divine Teacher praying. The dew and the frost of night fell

upon His head bowed in prayer. His example is left for His follow-

ers.”—Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 167.

Read

the texts below. What were the occasions that prompted these

prayers? What can they teach us, as disciples of Christ, about

prayer and the centrality of prayer in our mission?

Luke 5:15, 16

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 6:12, 13

____________________________________________________________________

Luke 9:28–31

____________________________________________________________________

If Jesus, the God-Man, relied so much on prayer for success

while on earth, how much more do we, as sinful humans, need it

for successful discipleship? How satisfied are you with your

prayer life? What do y

ou pr

y about? How much time do you

spend praying? What changes might you need to make in your

own prayer life?

110

FRIDAY

March 28

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 345–

348, 553–560, 658–660, 881–887, 1110; Ellen G. White, “Come Rest

Awhile,” pp. 359–363; “A Night on the Lake,” pp. 377–379; “The

Foreshadowing of the Cross,” p. 411; “He Was Transformed,” pp. 419–

421; “Gethsemane,” pp. 687–693, in The Desire of Ages; “The Teacher

Sent From God,” p. 80; “Faith and Prayer,” p. 259, in Education.

Here are some of the practical things that our church can do in the

area of discipleship:

1. Designate disciple-making as its primary goal.

2. Formulate plans and methods to accomplish the task.

3. Train individuals for leadership for each program.

4. Mobilize all members for involvement in discipleship.

5. Institute a program of discipleship training.

6. Ascertain the types of people living in the community sur-

rounding the church and their needs.

7. Institute a bridge-building program that will break down

barriers, then meet the needs of and forge relations with the

community surrounding each church.

8. Introduce programs to use the skills of new converts, to

incorporate them into the local church, and develop a deeper

commitment to Christ.

9. Develop programs that will assist members, especially new

converts, in discovering, developing, and putting to use their

spiritual gifts.

10. Ensure that there are adequate programs designed for mak-

ing and nurturing disciples.

Discussion Questions:

● Take a prayerful look at those steps listed above. What might

you add or embellish that would be important for a church to be

successful at making disciples? What can you do to help see these

steps, or some like them, implemented at your local church level?

● How much time do you spend in prayer for the work of the

church as a whole? Determine to spend a certain amount of time

each day praying for our worldwide mission. Why not have your

Sabbath School class set aside a certain time during each class to

pray for the work of the worldwide church?

● How can we help both the clergy and the laity better under-

stand that the work of discipleship is the work of every member

of the church? How can you help the local church better utilize

the gifts and talents of member

s? What are the kinds of things

that tend to get in the way of the laity being involved in the work

of discipleship and witness?

tor

INSIDE

111

Finding Faith in Tete

by CELIA BAIONETA

I grew up in Mozambique, following the beliefs of the church my family

attended. We didn’t go to church every week, but we never missed

Christmas and Easter. As a teenager I had a friend, Maria, who went to

church every Saturday. She often brought friends home after church, and

they spent the afternoon singing. Watching Maria, I asked my mother why

we didn’t go to worship every week. She answered, “If you want, you can

go to church every week.”

Maria invited me to visit her church, and my mother gave her permission.

I loved it, especially the singing and the sense of unity I found there. I loved

how they hugged and shook hands, and I appreciated that they made me, a

visitor, feel welcome. That afternoon some members of the church came to

my house to pray with me. Even my mother was impressed.

I continued attending Maria’s church, and when I became sick and

unable to go, Maria and her friends came to pray for me.

I joined the baptismal class to learn what the Bible teaches, and I

accepted everything. I asked my mother if I could be baptized. She agreed.

However, I still had issues to deal with. I liked playing basketball and soc-

cer, and when a game was scheduled for Sabbath I had to choose between

the church and sports. I often chose sports. Then I began skipping church

even when no games were scheduled. I started staying out late with my

friends.

I hardly noticed that I was slipping away. But my mother noticed and

warned me that I was walking down the wrong path. I made a stronger

effort to return to the church.

Then I met Fidelino, a dedicated Adventist young man who encouraged

me to give my life completely to God. He prayed with me and for me, and

his encouragement helped me realize what was really important in life. The

following year we were married.

We moved to another city to live, and the next year we invited my mother

to visit for a month. She was surrounded by Adventists and couldn’t escape.

She visited church, and now she attends church near her home. The next

year my father visited. He, too, was impressed with our home and our close

circle of Adventist friends. He went home and started attending the Adventist

church. Recently he was baptized. My two younger brothers now attend

church.

God used my friend Maria’s witness and a boy’s attention to draw me to

His love and to a church family I truly enjoy.

CELIA BAIONETA lives in

ete

, Mozambique

Produced by the General Conf

erence Office of Adventist Mission.

Web site: www.adventistmission.org

112

2008

Bible Study Guide for the Second Quarter

Next quarter’s Bible study guide will center on Jesus, on who He

was, on what He taught, on what He did—and on what He is doing

right now. The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams aims to give us a

complete picture of Jesus’ past ministry on earth, the work He does

for us now in the sanctuary, and His second coming.

Lesson 1

—Who Was Jesus?

The Week at a Glance:

SUNDAY: Not the Baptist (Matt. 3:11, 12; 16:14)

MONDAY: Not Elijah or Jeremiah or Some Other Prophet (John

1:1–5, 17:5)

TUESDAY: The Fascination Continues—1 (Luke 1:1–4, 2 Pet.

1:16–21)

WEDNESDAY: The Fascination Continues—2 (1 Cor. 1:18–27)

THURSDAY: Messiah, Son of God (John 17:3)

Memory Text—

Matthew 16:13

Sabbath Gem:

The same fundamental concerns expressed by

the people of Jesus’ own time concerning His identity have framed

the debate about the Son of God across the centuries, heightening

the mystique about Him.

Lesson 2

—The Mystery of His Deity

The Week at a Glance:

SUNDAY: His Preexistence—What It Means to Us (Isa. 9:6)

MONDAY: The Witness of the New Testament (John 8:58)

TUESDAY: Apparent Contradictions (John 3:16)

WEDNESDAY: The Deity of Christ (John 1:1)

THURSDAY: And There’s More (1 Cor. 1:3, 2 Cor. 13:14, Rev. 20:6)

Memory Text—

John 1:1–3

Sabbath Gem:

The preexistence of Christ is a difficult concept

to understand. When Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, Christ

told him that this knowledge came from God the Father. Only

through Divine wisdom from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit can

we hope to understand such mysteries of the Bible.

Lessons for the Visually Impaired

The regular Adult Sabbath School

Bible Study Guide

is a

ailab

le free each month in br

aille and on audiocassette to

sight-impaired and physically handicapped persons who cannot read normal ink

print. This includes individuals who, because of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis,

accident, and so forth, cannot hold or focus on normal ink-print publications. Contact

Christian Record Ser

vices

, Bo

x 6097, Lincoln, NE 68506-0097.